Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Le Tour De Langkawi 2011 is back!

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News 2010

Published on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 18:27

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011, the 16th edition of Asia’s prestigious cycling tour will again meet its fans as early as 23rd January until 1st February, 2011. The race is scheduled to last for 10 days compared to 7 days the previous year.

The success in the 2010 edition clearly holds sufficient weight to the organizers especially in two key aspects of the organization; the level of excellence in race organization and achievement levels of National riders.

"2010 witnessed the magic of Anuar Manan who became the first Malaysian rider to win a stage in Le Tour de Langkawi and the first Asian rider to win the Overall Sprint Jersey after 15 years of organizing this Tour. It is a great achievement for the Ministry of Youth and Sports."

"Another added bonus to these achievement, the 2010 event was given a letter of recognition for Excellent level of Organization by the International Cycling Union (UCI)'' Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek explains proudly.

Minister of Youth and Sports stressed that although he strongly believes the ability of his personnel in the organization of this Tour, but every effort should be doubled to ensure that every inch of deficiencies in the organization of the 2010 edition identified and improved to maintain this excellent reputation.

In addition, he also said that the Ministry is committed to ensuring success of the riders; National riders need to be maintained by providing special attention to the development of Anuar Manan and several riders representing continental teams (Ahmad Haidar Anuawar and Mohammad Adiq Hussainie Othman) in Europe, and national riders, currently training and competing in Melbourne.

After four years of exclusion, Langkawi Island will again be in the limelight for the Grand Départ of LTdL 2011, launching the Tour on the 23rd of January with a round island stage prologue. Elite riders will be returning to the midst beautiful nostalgia inspired by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed.

Youth and Sports Ministry Head Secretary General, Dato' Mohid Mohamad, said the first prologue stage of 91.9 km will start at Dataran Lang and ends at Lang in Kuah Town.

"History will be made next year when the first stage of Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 will be launched on the island of Langkawi after four years absence" he said in a statement after the launch of Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 at Menara KBS in Putrajaya today.

Dato’ Mohid added that the 2011 Tour will have 10 stages covering a total distance of 1308.9 km, starting in Langkawi Island and finishing at Dataran Merdeka.

The most interesting in next year’s Tour are the Hors climb categories held in two consecutive days, the Fourth stage from Air Tawar, Lumut to Cameron Highlands (136km), followed by 128km Fifth stage from Tapah to Genting Highlands the next day.

"This will be the surprise awaiting riders of Le Tour de Langkawi 2011. I hope this will give a shocking new chapter to the history of Le Tour de Langkawi" he said.

"Although there are two Hors category climb stages, there are another eight flat stages for riders who are still not recognized climbing experts to contest" said Dato’ Mohid again.

A total of 23 teams, including Pro-tour teams, Pro-Continental, Continental and National teams expected to join the race next year.

The LTdL 2011 launching ceremony was officiated by the Minister Youth and Sports, Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek and was attended by President of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), Abu Samah Abd Wahab and LTdL 2011 Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohamed Salleh.

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Ministry Youth and Sports Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. The 2011 Tour to be held from 23rd January to 1st February covers a total distance of 1308.9 km with 10 stages, starting in Langkawi Island and ending at Dataran Merdeka.