langkawi magazine
Archives SECTION
World Cycling Big Names to Grace 10th Anniversary of Le Tour de Langkawi
From January 28 to February 6, Malaysia will be the focal point of the entire cycling world. For it is during this period that the prestigious RM1.6 million Le Tour de Langkawi will be staged.
The venue will be the length and breadth of the Peninsular Malaysia where the best professional teams in the world will battle for supremacy.
The Tour, which made its debut in 1996, is the brainchild of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and since its inception has defied critics to evolve into one of the top cycling races in the world. Who would have imagined the Tour would be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In fact, it is currently the biggest and richest road in Asia and the most exhilarating race outside Europe. Besides, the Tour has also played a significant role in successfully promoting Malaysian tourism abroad.
Unlike many sports that are confined to only one location, the Le Tour de Langkawi takes viewers on a different trip everyday. In fact, over 600 million viewers will be following the Tour either through live or delayed telecasts daily. As they follow the race on television, the viewers, as well as the riders, will have the opportunity to see the various parts of the country, from our most modern cities to some of the most stunning country-side scenes Malaysia has to offer.
This year's Tour begins on the mystical island of Langkawi, which is renowed for its gorgeous white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. From then the Tour will take viewers on a whirlwind trip around the country.
From wooden huts to fancy bungalows, swanky hotels and shopping complexes to state of the art modern buildings and skycrapers, Malaysia has never failed to capture the imagination of the participants every year.
During the initial stages of the race, very few professional teams took part. However, all that has changed and over the years more and more big names have begun venturing to Makaysia. This year, the biggest name in world cycling, Discovery Channel (formerly known as the US Postal, the number one team in the world) have confirmed their participation. Liberty Seguros (formerly known as ONCE), the Tour of Spain winners, will also be making the trip to Malaysia.
A total of 20 teams from all over the world including national teams will participate in the Tour. The Tour will be flagged-off on January 28 in Langkawi. It will pass through nine states and cover a total race distance of 1,281.1 kilometres in 10 days.
Organised by First Cartel (M) Sdn Bhd with the support by the Malaysian Government via the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the 10th edition of the race was recently accorded the prestigious Hors Category status on the new Asia Tour by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The Hors Category is the highest possible ranking that can be bestowed by the world cycling body, UCI for a road race. The Asian Cycling Confederation and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation also sanction the Tour.
After the start in Langkawi, the race will shift to Kangar for the second stage, which will end in Kepala Batas. The third day of the Tour will see the Tour snaking its way across the Main Range from Gerik in Perak to Tanah Merah in Kelantan. Bachok, a new venue, will host Stage 4, which is a time-trial.
The Tour will remain in the Eastern reaches of the country for the next three stages - Stage 5 (Kota Bahru to Kuala Terengganu), Stage 6 (Kuala Berang to Cukai) and Stage 7 (Maran to Raub).
Kuala Kubu Bahru will mark the beginning of Stage 8, which leads to the gruelling climb up Genting. Many eventual champions of the Le Tour De Langkawi have been crowned after conquering this stage. The ninth day begins at the KL Tower, a regular host venue in the past, but it will become increasingly difficult as the riders endure three tough climbs on their way to the nation"s new administrative capital of Putrajaya.
As always, the Tour will end in with the Kuala Lumpur Criterium, which will be staged at the historic Dataran Merdeka.
Millions of viewers throughout the world will be able to follow the Tour through live and delayed telecasts on local and major Television networks like ESPN, Starsports.
Langkawi 11/11/2004
