After 14 years in existence, the 15th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL) will make history when for the first time ever, all of the stages will offer points for Sprint and King of the Mountains (KOM) competitions. The Tour is scheduled to take place from 1st to 7th of March 2010.
In previous editions, the winner of the yellow jersey would be determined at the end of the Hors category climb in Genting Highlands. The 2010 tour, however, promises to have the Jersey competitions up for grabs until the final stage finishes in Dataran Merdeka.
This is part of a big risk being taken by the organizers that will see an adjustment to the traditional Kuala Lumpur Criterium on the race's last day. Now the final stage will see the race start in Kuala Kubu Baru and end at Dataran Merdeka.
"Many think that the finish line of a certain stage determines the overall winner, but not for the tour. In fact in every Sprint zone and KOM will have its own drama. Various strategies and tactics planned by the teams to collect all points on offer. Therefore the LTDL 2010 route that we’ve planned offers points (Sprint and KOM) until the final stage. This will clearly add more competition, other than the usual breakaway and pursuit along the route," said Mr Mohamed Salleh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) LTDL 2010.
The route selection, as announced recently, is to ensure that the KOM jersey continues to be contested during each stage. Previous editions saw KOM points on offer a limited number of stages.
Malaysia National Cycling Federation President, Haji Abu Samah Abdul Wahab also gave a thumbs-up on the route selected for LTDL 2010.
"In terms of technical, this is the preferred route for the riders because it gives them the challenge to demonstrate their ability, not only forcing the riders to push further, but also to choose their goals more wisely, as a stage winner, Sprint leader or KOM leader. " Only the riders and teams who their race strategies and tactics from the beginning until end will only be crowned the Overall Winner at the end of the race later," said Abu Samah.
Abu Samah also added that the route in 2010 will be an advantage to local riders as it opens the opportunity for them to compete with foreign riders in the race."The performance of our riders in recent years have steadily grown from strength to strength especially for our sprinters and it’s not impossible in the first five stages they will make heads turn because this route provides a clear advantage, as shown in their victories in several races in and outside the country throughout this year, "said Abu Samah again.
What is clear is the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) as organizers LTDL 2010, is very serious in ensuring that we have a high-quality race, not just to ensure the excitement begins on the start until the finish line as unlike the previous editions.
The 15th Edition of 2.0 Hors Classe race involves seven stages, starting from Kota Bharu - Kuala Berang (174.5km); Kuala Terengganu-Chukai (182.9km); Pekan - Mersing (144km); Mersing - Parit Sulong (163.5km); Muar - Port Dickson (140.2km); Putrajaya - Genting Highlands (103.9km) and Kuala Kubu Baru-Dataran Merdeka (92.8km), covering a total distance of 1008.1km. A total of 120 riders from 20 teams including three local teams are expected to take part in Le Tour de Langkawi 2010.