Sending out a message that the event is hoping for clean racing, the Tour de Langkawi has once again formed a partnership with the anti-doping movement Bike Pure. The collaboration first occurred in 2010 and was a hit with the riders, with stage winners Michael Matthews and Jay Thompson triumphing while sporting the characteristic turquoise wristband and many others in the peloton also wearing it.
One season on, the link continues once again. “Le Tour de Langkawi has commissioned 1000 of these special edition Bike Pure wristbands to show the world it supports honest cyclists and the riders respect their competitors,” Bike Pure said.
“We are proud to be affiliated with the fantastic lengthened ten-day event. There is a momentum for major change within cycling; fans of the sport no longer want the dopers destroying its image. This feeling is illustrated clearly by the organizers of Le Tour de Langkawi, being the first professional event to fully partner Bike Pure and show its commitment to anti-doping on a world wide scale.”
Tour de Langkawi CEO Mohamed Salleh said he was delighted with the ongoing collaboration. “Major events like Le Tour de Langkawi are put together at great expense, and no organizer wishes to see his event tarnished with a doping scandal. Sponsors require positive media attention, and one single rider could destroy all this investment.
“As the first major event to fully partner Bike Pure this year, we feel responsible to continue this effort and set an example for all other events regardless of big or small to support fair competition and a drug-free sport.”
The sixteenth edition of the Malaysian race will begin on Langkawi on January 23rd and concludes 1315.4 kilometres and ten stages later in Kuala Lumpur. A strong turnout is expected for the 2.HC-ranked contest, as well as some very aggressive racing. There will be at total of 23 teams competing, including some high ranked international squads.
Bike Pure is a not-for-profit movement which aims to combat doping within the peloton. It has a considerable numbers of professional riders as members, as well as tens of thousands of public supporters.
