Garmin’s Chris Sutton is the new sprinter to watch
25/1/2009

Chris Sutton - GARMIN

Kuala Lumpur – There is a long history of American teams and Australian sprinters being successful at Le Tour de Langkawi and there is a new chapter to be written in this year’s edition starting in Putrajaya, the home of Malaysian government, on February 9, and finishing in the nation’s capital Kuala Lumpur on February 15. Pro Tour outfit Garmin-Slipstream is one of the most prestigious teams taking part in the race after their fabulous showing in 2008 with Christian Vande Velde wearing the pink jersey at the Tour of Italy and finishing in the top 5 of the Tour de France.

Before attracting sponsorship from GPS navigation system provider Garmin, former US top professional Jonathan Vaughters founded his Slipstream team with the help of Doug Ellis who is a rich donator. They based their concept on a serious anti-doping program. Le Tour de Langkawi was the first H.C. (hors-category) race to invite them to compete in 2007. “We had the feeling this team would grow up and go far in cycling”, said the chief operating officer (COO) of LTdL Datuk Naim Mohamad. “We are delighted that they didn’t forget us and accepted to come back to Malaysia although all the race organisers from all over the world want G armin-Slipstream to participate to their event.”

Garmin might not line up their most famous riders at LTdL but they have chosen the most competitive ones at this time of the year. This applies to their two Australians Cameron Meyer and Chris Sutton who have raced the Tour Down Under prior to heading to Malaysia. “It’s a huge advantage for us to come from the Southern hemisphere compare to the Europeans”, Sutton commented, speaking from Adelaide. “Here during our summer we’re able to do a much better specific training.”

Sutton, 24, is a sprinter in the making. Already a five time winner as a pro in Europe, the former Cofidis rider targets Milan-San Remo and the Classics in April. It will be his first appearance at Le Tour de Langkawi. “I’ve always wanted to do it”, he said. “I’ve always enjoyed watching the pictures of cycling in Malaysia, even those of the riders under the pouring rain. I know it doesn’t often happen but it’s fun to see it. LTdL gives me the opportunity to stay longer under the warm weather this year before heading to Europe. I’ve also been inspired a few years ago by Graeme Brown’s stage wins.”

Following the path of three-times winner Jay Sweet in the inaugural Le Tour de Langkawi back in 1996, Australian sprinters have regularly enjoyed success in Malaysia. “I want to grab at least a stage win”, Sutton added. “I know I’ll be coming with a pretty good form and the sprinters’ jersey might be my other goal. Cameron Meyer can also go very good and be the best young rider overall.”

Meyer is a 21 years-old neo-pro who claimed the bronze medal at the U23 world championship for time trial last year in Varese, Italy. He recently finished 4th and 2nd at the Australian championships for road race and time trial, competing at the level of three-times world champion Michael Rogers. He’s another champion for the future likely to get his first achievement as a professional in Malaysia. Alongside the two up and coming Australians, it will also be interesting to see the debut of Ricardo Van der Velde who is the son of Johan Van der Velde, a fantastic Dutch climber from the early 80s. There’s a lot of talent for climbing and sprinting in the Garmin-Slipstream team coming to LTdL this year.

The 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi will feature 20 teams from February 9 to 15, starting in Putrajaya, the home of Malaysian government, and finishing in the country’s capital Kuala Lumpur with the traditional criterium at Dataran Merdeka.

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 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC).

Garmin-Slipstream for Le Tour de Langkawi (9-15 February): Lucas Euser (USA), Timothy Duggan (USA), Christian Meier (Can), Cameron Meyer (Aus), Chris Sutton (Aus), Ricardo Van der Velde (Ned).

<< BACK