BINTULU — In high-intensity races like Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), the excitement of competition often comes hand in hand with the inherent risks of the journey.
Recent incidents, including a secretariat car accident and a landslide at Jalan Kuala Kubu Bharu-Gap just days after the cyclists passed through the area, highlight the unpredictable challenges that accompany such demanding events.
LTdL 2024 chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal admitted he was shocked at these recent occurrences but felt grateful that no lives were lost and no one was injured.
Today, the excitement of the LTdL race was briefly interrupted when a car driven by a secretariat officer skidded off the road at kilometre 848.5 of the Bintulu-Miri Highway, believed to be due to driver fatigue while heading to Bintulu for the Stage 7 finish.
Fortunately, the driver of the Toyota Vios emerged unharmed.
Earlier today, news of a landslide at Jalan Kuala Kubu Bharu-Gap — which had been part of the race route during Stage 4 just four days ago — left Emir and the team shaken.
Emir acknowledged that while thorough safety measures are in place, the unpredictable nature of cycling races means that incidents can still occur.
“(To prevent) any accidents involving our team from occurring, we have actually conducted very thorough inspections of the vehicles before handing the keys over to the drivers.
“To me, after seven days of racing and only one accident so far, it’s a minimal number.
“But there are many factors that contribute to such incidents. In any case, I am grateful that the personnel involved are safe and did not suffer any injuries,” said Emir.
He added that the staff member involved will resume duties for the final stage of the race in Bintulu tomorrow.
Last year, a similar incident occurred when a van carrying the Giant Cycling Team overturned during Stage 3 of the race as the riders passed through the neutral zone in Jeli.
The victims in that accident were the van driver and three riders—Lin Chuanyang, Wang Zichen, and Huang Junlei.
Although they did not suffer serious injuries, the riders were unable to continue the race.
This year has seen several accidents involving riders, with the most serious occurring at the end of Stage 2 from Arau to Butterworth, where Malaysian cyclist Mohd Elmi Jumari had to be rushed to the hospital.
He sustained fractures in both his fingers and ribs, leaving him unable to continue.
“The most important thing is that no accidents were caused by the organisers. If you see any accidents during the race involving the cyclists, it’s because they were too aggressive in trying to win a stage.
“And in my opinion, this is beyond the organisers’ control. As for the route, we have ensured that the course the cyclists take is safe, with no sharp corners or steep downhill slopes.
“So when we heard about the landslide at Jalan Kuala Kubu Bharu-Gap, just a short while after we raced there, I was very thankful. Whatever it is, this is all part of God’s plan,” he added.
With just one stage left, the LTdL will see riders covering a 147.5km route around the Bintulu district tomorrow. — October 5, 2024