JELI – The chief operating officer of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Emir Abdul Jalal, confirmed that a van transporting members of a cycling team participating in the road cycling race crashed this morning.
The van overturned in the opposite lane after crashing on slippery roads due to light rain in a neutral zone in Jeli.
Members of the cycling team were seen sitting on the side of the road next to the crashed van.
“There was an accident involving three LTdL riders this morning.
“They did not take part in the race today due to arriving at the start area outside of the cutoff time.
“That is why all three riders boarded the van and headed to the finish line in Baling,” said Emir when contacted.
He also added that the riders did not suffer any serious injuries.
Earlier, Scoop reported that a van believed to be carrying a team participating in the LTdL had crashed on the route from Jeli to Baling.
3 non starters: Lin Chuanyang, Wang Zichen and Huang Junlei, all from Giant Cycling Team. The Chinese team is down to only one rider as they only started with 4. The three non starters didn't make it on time to the starting area.
— PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (@PETRONASLTdL) September 25, 2023
According to updates on the official LTdL Twitter page, the Giant Cycling Team from China suffered a setback as three of its riders – Lin Chuanyang, Wang Zichen, and Huang Junlei – were unable to participate in the race.
Following that, it is believed that the van made its way to the finish line at Jalan Syed Sheh in Baling, Kedah, before crashing.
This is not the first time the Giant Cycling Team has been reduced to just one rider on the ProSeries tour.
Back in 2018, following Stage 4, the team found themselves down to just a single rider, Shi Hang, who completed the race as three of his teammates withdrew during Stages 2 and 4, while another was disqualified in Stage 3. – September 25, 2023