LANGKAWI, March 7 — National highway squad captain, Suhardi Hassan is optimistic of his team’s chances to spring a surprise at the first stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2015, which spans over 99.2km, here tomorrow.

The 32-year-old veteran cyclist, who replaced Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi in the last minute, also admitted that tough challenge would be coming from world professional teams, such as Team Sky of United Kingdom and Orica GreenEdge of Australia, as they would be fielding their best cyclists.

“For the first stage tomorrow, we will do our best for the overall position or for Asia (cyclists).

“The majority of the competing teams are the world’s best teams and it is the tactic used by each team that differs us,” he told reporters today.

Suhardi, who had competed in LTdL for 10 years, said the uncertain weather condition and wind speed would influence the momentum of the 20th edition of LTdL, especially in the third stage of 170km between Gerik and Tanah Merah.

Apart from Suhardi, other cyclists representing Malaysia are Loh Sea Keong, Muhammad Faruq Daud, Mohammad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halilan and twin brothers, Muhammad Ameer and Muhammad Ameen Ahmad Kamal.

“We hope they will give the professionals a run for their money,” said Suhardi.

Meanwhile, TSG captain, Mohd Zamri Salleh said their sprinters, Mohd Hariff Salleh and Anuar Manan, were capable of giving other cyclists quite a stiff competition.

“If we can finish among the top 10 or five in tomorrow’s race, that will be a morale booster for us for the next race,” he said.

The first stage of the LTdL 2015 will begin and end at Pantai Cenang tomorrow, involving three sprint zones in Teluk Ewa, Air Hangat and Kuah, as well as three climbing zones at Bukit Beringin, Langkawi Highway and Pantai Kok. — Bernama