KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Local riders must capitalise on their early knowledge of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2026 route and turn it into a competitive edge in what is expected to be one of the toughest editions of the race since its inception in 1996, LTdL26 chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said.
He said local cyclists should emulate former Hong Kong national rider Wong Kam Po, who became the first Asian to win an LTdL stage after conquering the Cameron Highlands climb in the 2000 edition.
“When he was selected to represent the Telekom Malaysia All Stars team, Kam Po arrived more than a month early and based himself in Cameron Highlands to train and study every aspect of the climb.
“It was no surprise that although he was not a natural climber, he executed the perfect strategy. He knew when to stay with the lead group and when to launch his solo attack before holding on for the stage victory,” he said in a statement today.
Emir noted that although Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff won the King of the Mountains jersey twice, in 2020 with Sapura Cycling Team and in 2022 with Terengganu Cycling Team, he secured most of his points on the less demanding climbs rather than the major ascents at Cameron Highlands or Genting Highlands.
He also recalled that Italian sprint specialist Alessandro Petacchi captured the King of the Mountains jersey at the 1999 edition while riding for Scrigno-Gaerne using a similar strategy.
“However, with a maximum of 25 points on offer at the Hors Category climbs of Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands this year, it will be far more difficult to win the King of the Mountains title using that approach.
“This is where local riders have the advantage of familiarising themselves with the LTdL26 route early and planning the best race strategy," he said.
At last year's 29th edition, the best-placed Malaysian rider was Tsen Ren Bao of Australia's St George Cycling Team, who finished 34th overall, while Kee Zhe Yie was the highest-placed rider from a local team in 43rd.
Malaysia's only podium finish came through Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli, who finished runner-up on Stage Seven from Melaka to Medini after a courageous solo breakaway of almost 40km before being caught by Zeb Kyffin (Unibet Rocket Tietema) in the final 300 metres.
The UCI Asia Tour 2.Pro race, organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry through the National Sports Council in collaboration with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), will cover a total distance of 1,258.5 kilometres from Sept 27 to Oct 4.
The route features a new climb at Gunung Jerai (Stage Two), alongside the traditional mountain finishes at Cameron Highlands (Stage Four) and Genting Highlands (Stage Five).
-- BERNAMA