Anuar gets comfortable in the national squad
2/12/2008

2nd December 2008, KUALA LUMPUR: Previously Anuar Manan who was with Team LeTua, the Sprint King of Jelajah Malaysia 2008 will don the Harimau Malaya’s jersey in the 14th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi scheduled to be held next year.

He will not be alone as his ‘partner’, Ahmad Haidar Anuawar will also be in the National Team during LTdL 2009.

During the 13th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi held early this year, Anuar who hails yang from Kuala Ibai, Terengganu made history being the first local rider to win the Sprint King’s jersey in the third and fourth stage of the race.

Executive Chairman of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Tuan Haji Abu Samah b. Hj Abd Wahab said that the two riders had been adjusting comfortably with the rest of the riders in the national squad.

Haji Abu Samah who is also the President of Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) said that Anuar and Ahmad Haidar are now participating in Tour d'Indonesia after completing the Tour of Hainan in 19th November. After completing seven stages of Tour d’Indonesia, Anuar is leading the rest to gain the sprint jersey.

"MNCF’s decision to absorb Anuar and Ahmad Haidar in the National Team was the right one as the two of them are among the most talented riders in the country and their entry will strengthen the National Team not only for LTdL2009 but also as a preparation of the national squad to compete in various sports internationally," he said.

He emphasized that the National Team is now in training under the management of Jamaluddin Omar who was officially elected last 21st October with high hopes that the team will manage to perform its best in LTdL 2009.

"In my opinion, each riders of the National Team has their own strength and skills and hopefully they will manage to bring back the glory of the National Team in LTdL 1999, in which Malaysia was the Overall Team Winner of the Asia Category.

"Who knows, the National Team might even manage to be the Overall Best Team. Nothing is impossible if we are fully prepared for the event," he said.

Abu Samah said that apart from Anuar and Ahmad Haidar, the National Team lined up riders such as Suhardi Hassan, Mohd Noor Riduan Zainal and Mohammed Zamri Saleh.

He also said that he hopes that with Suhardi’s vast experience, who is the most senior rider in the team, they will manage to gain a better accomplishment in LTdL 2009.

"For the time being, riders line-up for LTdL 2009 has yet been determined as it is up to their performance in Tour of Hainan and Tour d'Indonesia," he said.

LTdL 2009, which retains the Hors status, will be held from the 9th to 15th February next year.

The most prestigious cycling tour in Asia, LTdL is organized by Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) along with MNCF will showcase a seven-stage cycling tour. The route will be announced soon.

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