KUALA LUMPUR: The national cycling squad is targeting success in the Asian team rankings and specific stage wins at this year’s Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), which begins on Sept 28 and runs until Oct 5.
National coach Yusof Abdul Nasir said the team are being realistic with their goals.
He said past stage victories by Malaysian riders Anuar Manan and Harrif Salleh prove that similar success is possible, and the focus this year is on young rider Kee Zhe Yie, who is expected to perform well on the Fraser’s Hill climb.
“Every time we join the LTdL, we must be realistic. For me, the Asian level is a target within reach. Anything can happen in cycling. Before this, Anuar and Harrif both won stages, so it’s not impossible for Zhe Yie to deliver something special at Fraser’s Hill,” he told reporters at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil on Monday.
“We will give our best to achieve this. All the teams in LTdL are strong, so strategy, experience, and the riders’ instincts in climbing and sprint finishes are crucial.”
He said several riders have been identified to take on different challenges across flat, climbing and demanding stages.
He pointed out that besides Stage Five from Temerloh to Fraser’s Hill (123.1km), Stage Three from Gerik to Pasir Puteh (198.2km) and the final stage from Tangkak to Kuala Lumpur (180.2km) will be key.
“Normally, foreign riders recover from jet lag by the fourth or fifth stage, but we will try to give our best from the start until the finish. We are not the biggest team, so our focus will be on specific stages.
“The Gerik and Fraser’s Hill stages are crucial to secure the Asian team position, while the final stage is also very tough. In all three, we must ensure our riders are up front,” he said.
The six-man national squad consists of Elmi Jumari, Ameer Ahmad Kamal, Zhe Yie, Iqmal Zarawi, Yusri Shaari and Shahrul Mat Amin.
As one of Asia’s most prestigious races, the LTdL holds 2.ProSeries status in the UCI Asia Tour calendar and has attracted 22 teams.
The race covers a total distance of 1,224.2km, spanning all 12 states in Peninsular Malaysia, starting in Langkawi on Sept 28 and finishing at KLCC on Oct 5.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
