TSG looking into their plans next year after big events called off

PETALING JAYA: Cycling is heading into a tailspin in the Asian continent next year with almost all Asian races cancelled or hanging in the balance because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) and Tour of Taiwan are the latest events scheduled for the start of the year to be called off due to Covid-19 concerns.

The Malaysian TSG cycling team’s chief executive officer Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin Che Ku Mahmood said they were considering their options for next season.

“We are still discussing internally on our plans for next year in terms of races and training camps.

“For next season, there are many factors we have to consider such as the Covid-19 situation as well as the different border regulations in each country.

“We will look at going to Europe but cost will also be an issue if we have to travel to countries which require a quarantine period,” he said, agreeing that the authorities made the right call not to stage the LTdL event scheduled to take place from Jan 30-Feb 6 next year.

“We are disappointed that we will not be able to race in the Tour next year but we accept the decision made considering the current circumstances.”

TSG would have looked forward to impress in the LTdL as their sprinter Mohd Harrif Saleh became the first Malaysian to win two stages after emerging victorious in the fifth and seventh stage of the race this year. TSG had also won the LTdL yellow jersey in 2018 through their Russian rider Artem Ovechkin.