KUALA LUMPUR — Italian ProTeam Polti-VisitMalta are pinning their hopes on four climbing specialists as they seek redemption in their second outing at the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), which takes place from September 28 to October 5.
After leaving little mark on last year’s edition, the Spain-based squad, guided by the legendary influence of Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador, are reshaping their strategy with an all-rounder climbing core aimed at the overall individual title and the coveted King of the Mountain jersey.
Heading the roster is 27-year-old Davide Bais, a three-time Giro d’Italia contender who claimed a stage victory at the 2023 edition.
He will be joined by last year’s top finisher Fernando Lopez Tercero, 23, who placed fourth overall at LTdL 2024, alongside Spaniard Alex Martin, 25, and Colombian-born German rider Dario Gomez, 24.
LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said the team’s approach reflects a clear ambition to secure results after being overshadowed in their debut appearance.
“Polti, who raced as Polti-Kometa last year, are targeting not only a stage win but also the overall classification. They want to prove their worth and earn continued invitations,” he said in a statement by the National Sports Council today.
Emir noted that Stages 3 (Gerik–Pasir Puteh) and 5 (Temerloh–Fraser’s Hill) will be key tests for Polti’s climbers, featuring demanding Category I climbs that could decide the general classification battle.
Complementing the climbing unit is sprinter Manuel Penalver, whose consistency saw him finish second in Butterworth and third in Bentong last year.
Penalver has shown strong form this season with a stage win at the Tour of Qinghai Lake and two runner-up finishes. He will share sprinting duties with 22-year-old compatriot Gabriele Reccagni.
The 2025 race begins in Langkawi with a short 96.5km opener before progressing through eight stages across Peninsular Malaysia, culminating in Kuala Lumpur on October 5.
With a climbing quartet and proven sprinters, Polti-VisitMalta appear intent on making their presence felt this time around. — September 1, 2025