LTdL a tourist magnet
06/02/2009, Malay Mail

The 14th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) will boast an exceptional number of riders from 35 countries and five continents.

Malaysia will once again top the field with 15 riders on the start line at Putrajaya on Feb 9.

"Our team invitation committee have looked closely at all the applications to make the event very international," said chief operating officer Datuk Naim Mohamad.

"We are very pleased to welcome cyclists from all over the world. It shows that our sport becomes more and more worldwide thanks to the efforts of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). Malaysia definitely want to play their part in the globalisation of cycling.

Local hopes are high for a stage win by top sprinter Anuar Manan who finished 2nd in Stage 3 under the colours of LeTua last year. He has now joined the national team with his favourite lead-out man Anuwar Haidar.

Italy will feature a contingent of 11 riders, followed by Australia (9), France (8), South Africa, Kazakhstan, Iran, China, South Korea (6), Spain, Switzerland, Japan (5), Ukraine (3), USA, Germany, Austria, Venezuela, Tunisia, Algeria, Indonesia (2), Belgium, New Zealand, Canada, Holland, Slovenia, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, Great-Britain, Moldova, Colombia, Argentina, Mongolia, Syria and Qatar (1).

The 20 teams are defending champions Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni (Venezuela), Bbox-Bouygues Telecom and Agar (France) , Amer ican giants Garmin-Slipstream, Fuji- Servetto (Spain), Cervélo Test Team (Switzerland), CSF-Navigare (Ireland), ISD (Italy-Ukraine), Vorarlberg- Corratec (Austria), EQA-Meitan- Hompo (Japan), Seoul Cycling (Korea), Doha Team (Qatar), LeTua and MNCF (Malaysia), as well as the national teams of Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, Iran, Kazakhstan and China.

The youngest rider in the race will be Vadim Izotov, 19, from Kazakhstan, and the oldest Shinichi Fukushima, 37, from EQA-Meitan-Hompo.

With the return of Genting Highlands on the map of LTdL, the climbers will be again the contenders for the overall title. Already a double stage winner at the City of Entertainment (2006 and 2007), Colombia’s José Serpa (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) will be the man to watch.

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