KUALA LUMPUR – The absence of the Hors Category (HC) climb to Genting Highlands in the 2024 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) has made the competition for the yellow jersey (overall champion) more open this year.
LTdL 2024 chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal anticipates fierce competition among the riders, with strategies focused on sprinters and all-rounders.
“Like last year, we could predict the overall winner based on who conquered the Genting Highlands route because the gap between first and second place was usually big.
“Although this year we have a climb up to Cameron Highlands, (the) riders will ascend via Simpang Pulai, which is gentler, and the time gap won’t be as big compared to climbing via Tapah,” he told Bernama today.
Emir also assured that preparations for the race, which opens on September 29, are proceeding smoothly. He mentioned that organisers have contingency plans ready for unforeseen circumstances, especially considering the unpredictable weather.
“In terms of weather, whether it rains or is hot, we will still cycle, but if there’s a flood or landslide, we have other preparations,” he said.
The LTdL 2024 will kick off with Stage 1 in Langkawi, followed by Stage 2 from Arau to Butterworth, Stage 3 from Taiping to Cameron Highlands, Stage 4 from Kuala Kubu Baru to Bentong, Stage 5 from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, Stage 6 from Batu Pahat to Kulai, Stage 7 from Miri to Bintulu, and Stage 8 also in Bintulu.
A total of 22 teams will compete in this 2.Pro status race, covering a total distance of 1,190km, starting in Langkawi and entering Miri and Bintulu in Sarawak for the first time. — September 25, 2024