LTDL 2010 PROMISES A GREAT RACE!
13/11/2009

KUALA LUMPUR - 15th Edition of Asia’s premier cycling event, Le Tour de Langkawi 2010 is back! With a new look inspiring change and a better future under the organization of the Ministry of Youth and Sport. Le Tour de Langkawi 2010 was officially launched by the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Y.B. Dato’ Razali Haji Ibrahim.

The Tour which was first introduced in 1996 has reached the highest status since the first edition and for 2010; it is graded again as a Hors Class (2.HC) race by the International Cycling Union (UCI) - equivalent to the prestigious status of several major races in Europe.

Organized Ministry of Youth and Sports, together with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) while the Prime Minister as the Patron of the event. Le Tour de Langkawi 2010 is scheduled to take place from 1st to 7th of March 2010, involving seven stages and covering a total distance of 1,001.8 km.

The race will go through seven states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Malaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and two Federal Territories; which are Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. The route selection this time based on various factors, including technical aspects, logistics, tourism and sponsors, involves 13 venues including a new venue in the history of the LTDL organization at Parit Sulong in the state of Johor.

The seven stages are:
1 Kota Bharu – Kuala Berang (174.5km)
2 Kuala Terengganu – Chukai (182.9km)
3 Pekan, Pahang – Mersing, Johor (144km)
4 Mersing, Johor – Parit Sulong, Johor (163.5km)
5 Muar, Johor – Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan (140.2km)
6 Putrajaya, WP – Genting Highlands (103.9km)
7 Kuala Kubu Baru – Dataran Merdeka (loop x6) (92.8km)

This new route will cause a stir because riders will have to pedal against the winds of the South China Sea, especially in Stage 2 and Stage 3, while Stage 4 will test their endurance where riders have to pedal through the longest distance under the hot sun in this Tour.

As usual, the climbing route to ‘Hors status’ Genting Highlands on Stage 6 will be expected to determine which rider or team that could ultimately become the overall winner.

The Tour will have a total of 20 teams competing, consisting of 17 world-class teams with three (3) ProTour teams, five (5) Pro-Continental teams, five (5) Continental teams, four (4) foreign national teams and three (3) local teams with six riders each, are expected to be take part in the racing edition-15.

"Malaysia has succeeded in putting LTDL as one of the most prestigious cycling race in Asia, every year the Tour grows in recognition. In fact we can be proud of this achievement, raising the standard of event organisation to a professional world-class level and further enhance the development of sports in our country. "

"Organization of events such as this not only strengthens the sport, even more importantly contributes to generating income for the nation’s economy, in line with the government's intention to make Malaysia as an ideal destination for international sport events."

"Under the concept of a new economic model, the government is committed to develop the sports as a vibrant, productive industry contributing to the income of the country. This is also in line with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Prime Minister’s desire to see the development of sports industry by announcing that 2011 is the Year of National Sports Industry," said Dato’ Razali Haji Ibrahim in his speech at the launching path LTDL 2010, on this day.

Inspired by our former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, organizing the 15th Edition of this Tour will not escape from its original purpose, specifically to promote the name of Malaysia and promote tourism through sporting events.

The Ministry of Youth and Sport agreed that the concept of promoting an attractive destination, the riders who will cover all corners of the country will also help introduce interesting places and local food offered in the country. In addition to tourist destinations, LTDL can also attract more international audiences to our unique community values of various races, backgrounds and religions living in peaceful harmony which practices the spirit of tolerance in accordance with the concept of ‘1Malaysia’.

"The LTDL Organizing Committee has arranged this route covering 13 locations to help introduce our country from the angle of hospitality, cultural, racial harmony and tourism products that become our pride to the world community. The Ministry of Youth and Sport also hope like the years before, that the nation will continue to lend their support to this tour and I am confident that 2010 will LTDL received the same, " Dato’ Razali Haji Ibrahim added.

According to him, the extensive international media coverage will increase the country’s potential in the tourism sector and for 2010, a total 120 journalists and photographers, including 50 overseas travel writers is expected to cover the race.

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