GUNUNG JERAI, Sept 28 — Kee Zhe Yie emerged as Malaysia’s best rider in Stage 2 of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2026 today, a result that gave the Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider a morale boost for the remaining six stages.

The 23-year-old finished 27th in the 145.6-kilometre stage from Taiping to the summit of Gunung Jerai in 3:42:26, describing the result as the ideal tonic ahead of two more Hors Class climbs at Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.

“My plan today was actually to try to get into the breakaway, but it did not work. I also tried to take the KOM (climb zone) in Selama, but did not succeed. So, I tried on the final climb. I did not have any target, just wanted to finish the race,” he told the media after the race.

Zhe Yie said his coach had also encouraged him to challenge for the Best Asian Rider position, but he was overtaken by Aisan Racing Team’s Japanese rider Yuhi Todome.

“My coach also told me I could compete for Best Asian Rider, but the Japanese rider was chasing from behind. So, I finished second,” he said.

Describing the 971-metre climb at Gunung Jerai as a severe test of physical endurance, Zhe Yie said it was his first time tackling the hilly route and described the ascent as steep.

With the two demanding climbs at Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands ahead, Zhe Yie said he was not setting any specific targets or putting pressure on himself, noting that other Malaysian riders were also capable of competing on hilly routes.

“There is nothing. Malaysia also has riders such as Tsen Ren Bao (St George Continental Team), and he is also strong. Whatever it is, we try together. It does not matter who is ahead,” he said.

Stage 3 tomorrow will cover a relatively flat 189.7-kilometre route from Sungai Petani to Kuala Kangsar, before the peloton faces Hors Class climbs in Stage 4 from Meru Jaya to Cameron Highlands and Stage 5 from Tapah to Genting Highlands. — Bernama