Iran, Kazakhstan Hurdle For National Team
03/02/2009, Malay Mail

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The National team must overcome Asian powerhouse Iran and Kazakhstan to have any realistic chance of winning the best Asian Team title in the Le Tour de Langkawi.

Iran, three times winner of the LTdL overall best Asian Team title in 2003, 2004, 2005 will once again be the team to beat, especially with 2007 UCI Asia Tour title winner Ghader Misbani in their stable.

Misbani, 33, a professional rider since 2002 and regarded as one of the best Asian riders, is no stranger to the LTdL as he had represented Iran before joining Giant Asia Racing Team that won the Best Asian Team title in the 2007 LTdL.

He will once again represent the Iran national team.

Apart from Iran, Kazakhstan powered by Alexei Liako a prominent climber, should also be a serious contender.

National team rider Loh Sea Keong, who together with former Le Tua riders Anuar Manan and Ahmad Haidar Anuawar are expected to shoulder the task of wresting the Best Asian team title, feels that Misbani and Liako are capable of leading their teams in search of the title.

"Ghader Misbani is capable of leading the Iran team past Malaysia while is capable of winning a few of the King of the Mountain stages," he told reporters at a sponsorship pledge ceremony here today.

While Iran are a powerhouse in Asia, Kazakhstan, with a number of young potential riders can cause a surprise or two, he said.

"We have undergone intensive training in Genting Highlands and that will give us an even chance to match Iran or Kazakhstan," he said.

Apart from Sea Keong, Anuar and Haidar, the national team coached by Jamaluddin Omar, comprises Wan Mohd Najmie Wan Mohamad, Ahmad Palanie Ali, Mohd Zamri Salleh and reserve rider Mohd Fadli Anuar.

The 14th edition of the LTdL which features 120 riders from 35 countries representing 35 countries and competing over seven stages, will be held from Feb 9-15, covering a distance of 1,029.9km.

The Tour, awarded "Hors" status by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), is organized by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and sanctioned by the UCI and Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC).

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