LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI 2011 IS BACK!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

PUTRAJAYA, 25th August 2011 – The 16th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi, an internationally-acclaimed cycling tour will return on the 23rd January 2011 to it’s original Grand Departe in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Scheduled to run through 10 stages, the race will end on the 1st February 2011, compared to only 7 stages previously.

Returning to Langkawi after an absence of four years, the Tour will be flagged off from Dataran Lang, and ending in Kuah town after a 91.9-kilometer stage throughout the beautiful island.

The previous edition of LTDL as it is fondly known, attained unprecedented success – in terms of excellence in the race organization, as well as the achievement of our National riders taking part in the race.

As the Minister for Youth and Sports, Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Cheek unabashedly explains, “2010 witnessed the magic of Anuar Manan, who became the first Malaysian rider to win a stage in Le Tour de Langkawi, and the first Asian rider to win the Overall Sprint Jersey after 15 years of organizing the Tour. It is a great achievement for the Ministry of Youth and Sports.”

Furthermore, the Ministry has committed itself to the continuing success of National riders; by ensuring that the development of local riders currently representing continental teams in Europe, as well as national riders currently training and competing in Melbourne, Australia.

“Another added bonus to these achievements, the 2010 event was given a letter of recognition for Excellent Level of Organization by the International Cycling Union (UCI).”

The Minister for Youth and Sports has expressed his confidence in the Organization of the upcoming edition of the Tour, and has emphasized that every effort must be doubled to ensure zero deficiencies, and an improvement on the excellent reputation of the tour.

The launching of LTDL2011 held at Menara KBS in Putrajaya was officiated by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Cheek, and was attended by the President of the Malaysian Cycling Federation (MNCF), Abu Samah Abdul Wahab and the Chief Executive Officer of LTDL 2011, Mohamed Salleh. Also present was Dato’ Mohid Mohamad, the Secretary General of the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Dato’ Mohid Mohamad then added that the new and improved LTDL 2011 will challenge the riders and offer spectators an interesting race to follow – 10 stages spanning a total distance of over 1300 kilometers, starting in Langkawi and ending in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Two back-to-back HORS category climbs, one of the toughest challenges on the Tour will offer an opportunity for riders to mount an assault for the jerseys on offer – the first climb to Cameron Highlands in Stage Four, and the iconic Genting Highlands climb the following day in Stage Five.

However, the Malaysian National Team will be given a fighting chance throughout the eight other Stages of the race, which will take place on relatively flat terrain to enable our team to remain competitive, as we currently lack local riders which specializes in hill climbs.

A total of 23 teams is expected to compete in the Tour, comprising of Protour, Pro-Continental, Continental and several choice National teams mounting an assault to win the honors in the race.

Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation.

For more information, please email media@ltdl.com.my