National Team Can Win Best Asian Team Title - Naim
01/02/2009, Malay Mail

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- With Anuar Manan, Ahmad Haidar Anuawar and Loh Sea Keong in the national team stable, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) feel, winning the best Asian team title in the Le Tour de Langkawi 2009 (LTdL), was possible.

Eight days before the start of LTdLthat has been awarded the "Hors" status by the Union Cycliste Internationale, MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said based on the riders listed in the national team, the MNCF has targetted the best team in Asia title.

"Sprinters Anuar and Haidar had worked as a team with Le Tua last year and with able team-mates like Loh Sea Keong who have vast experience in distance riding, a good result is possible," he told reporters here today.

Anuar, winner of two Sprint stages last year and who eventually finished second overall in the Sprints, can win again with Haidar again providing support, he said.

Sea Keong, an expert climber, is also capable of challenging the others at every stage, he said.

Apart from the trio, the national team under Jamaluddin Omar comprises Wan Mohd Najmie Wan Mohamad, Ahmad Palanie Ali, Mohd Zamri Salleh and Mohd Fadli Anuar who is the reserve rider.

The 14th edition of the LTdL will see 120 riders from 35 countries representing 20 teams competing over a distance of 1,029.9km throughout the seven stages held from Feb 9-15.

The Tour is organized by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) with the support of the Malaysian Government via the Ministry of Youth and Sports and sanctioned by the UCI and Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC).

The 20 teams competing are: Garmin-Slipstream (USA), Ag2r (FRA), Bbox-Bouygues Telecom (FRA), Fuji-Servetto (SPN), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni (VEN), CSF (IRL),CSF-Navigare (IRL) Vorarlberg-Corratec (AUT), ISD (ITA), Cervelo Test Team (SWI), South Africa, Malaysia, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, MCF, Le Tua, EQA-Meitan-Hompo (JPN), Seoul Cyling (KOR), Doha Team (QAT).

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