Fraser's Hill replaces Genting climb
NST, 22/1/2008

A FINAL tweak in what the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) organising committee hopes will be the final route for this year's edition on Feb 9-17, sees the absence of Genting Highlands.

The eighth stage of the race, initially scheduled from Maran to Genting on Feb 16, will now be replaced by a stage covering 127 kilometres from Temerloh to Fraser's Hill.

The other stages remain unchanged.

LTdL chief operating officer Datuk Naim Mohamad said this change was due to unforeseen circumstances and after taking into account the views of sponsors Genting Berhad.

Because of the festive season during that period, it was only possible to have a stage up to Gohtong Jaya at the foot of Genting, which would have rendered the Tour without a hors categorie (HC) class climb.

Genting, whose vice-president Kay Prakash was also present to hand over sponsorship of the 'King of the Mountains' jersey for the Tour, has also remained as a key sponsor of the race.

"So, our technical committee immediately did a recce and suggested a route up Fraser's Hill, which is equally as challenging as Genting," said Naim.

LTdL routing consultant Halim Abdul Rahman said the stage, albeit not as high as Genting, offers a different sort of challenge.

"It is actually a climb all the way from Temerloh, but gradually.

"In the final 30km it is a constant climb, so the riders have no reprieve, unlike in Genting where there are slight downhills in between climbs," said Halim.

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