BUKIT JALIL – The Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) next month will take place as scheduled, from September 23 to 30, said race organiser National Sports Council (NSC).
“The NSC, as the organisers of the LTdL, give our guarantee and confirmation that the race will go on. Today’s announcement is to put to rest any doubt on the status of the event,” said NSC director Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail during a press conference here today.
There had previously been concerns about the race’s status following reports that the 27th edition of the International Cycling Union (UCI) ProSeries had been removed from the event calendar.
This came after previous organisers failed to settle debts owed to competing teams. However, this has been resolved.
Apart from the RM8 million allocation from the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Terengganu government will be sponsoring the first and second stages of the race.
“We will announce the amount raised through sponsorships at a later ceremony.”
The first stage of the race will start in Kerteh and end in Kuala Terengganu.
Shapawi said that race preparations are going well and that they are adhering to UCI requirements, such as facilities, transportation, and accommodation for competing teams.
The NSC is finalising a deal with international broadcasters to ensure that the race is broadcast live in at least 10 countries, as required by the UCI.
A total of 22 teams will compete in this year’s race, led by two UCI world category teams. They are Astana Qazaqstan from Kazakhstan and E-F Education EasyPost from the United States.
Competing alongside them are eight UCI pro teams and 11 continental teams, including TSG from Terengganu and the road cycling national team. – August 24, 2023