Riders can expect equally challenging race at Fraser's Hill
NST, 26/1/2008

RIDERS bound for Le Tour de Langkawi 2008 regard the Fraser's Hill climb as "equally challenging" as the Genting climb with some expecting an open race and exciting competition in the race which starts in Alor Setar on Feb 9.

Some of the riders, who are now competing in the Tour Down Under, were of the opinion that the exclusion of Genting would not at all affect the excitement and competitiveness of the annual race.

Credit Agricole's new signing Simon Gerrans, despite Fraser's Hill being at a lower level than Genting, predicts tough challenges ahead.

"I've never done Genting before as this will be my first ride in Le Tour de Langkawi. I'm not sure how it feels to ride in Genting but my teammates who have done Genting told me that it would be really really tough.

"So in a way, I'm kind of glad not to do it at this point of time," said Gerrans.

Australian rider Matt Wilson, who will steer new American outfit Team Type 1, was elated to hear that the race would be going to Fraser's Hill.

"I last did the Le Tour de Langkawi 10 years ago with the Australian national team. There were no bad memories in Genting and I'm definitely looking forward to riding up to Fraser's Hill.

"It opens up our chances of winning the race for my new team, and it avoids a situation where only one or three riders really stand a good chance of winning a hill climb stage," said Wilson who won the Herald Sun Tour last October.

The Tour's organising committee announced last week the change of the 2008 route, replacing the Genting climb with Fraser's Hill for the penultimate stage on February 16.

The committee cited safety as the main reason as Genting will be experiencing a huge volume of traffic going up and down the popular holiday destination due to the Chinese New Year celebration on Feb 7 and 8.

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