KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Preparations for this year’s Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) are about 95 per cent complete, with only the coordination meeting involving the districts of Sepang and Shah Alam in Selangor yet to be finalised.
LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said all matters with state governments, districts, and related agencies and departments in other states had been resolved, while the competing teams and television broadcasters had also been finalised ahead of the 2.Proseries status LTdL.
“I believe only in Selangor we have yet to conclude the meeting, namely in the districts of Sepang and Shah Alam, as they were with (the recently concluded) Sukma (Malaysia Games) and such.
“But everything has been finalised in all other districts. The teams have all been listed, TV broadcasters have also been sorted out. We are about 95 per cent all set,” he said at a press conference for the Bubbles O2 Sponsorship Ceremony and the LTdL 2026 polka dot jersey (King of the Mountain) at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil today.
Emir also said that fan turnout is expected to be a major highlight, especially during the climb up Gunung Jerai in Kedah, as local authorities and the Kedah State Cycling Association aim to transform the location into a “mini Genting”.
He said a special area for spectators would be created around the Gunung Jerai climbing zone, allowing fans to watch the riders slug it out until the finish line.
“They want to use this opportunity as best as possible because they know of the extraordinary response at Genting, so why not at Jerai? From the foot of the mountain to the finish line at the top, the route will be filled with spectators at specified areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Emir said all 20 teams that had confirmed their participation are expected to bank on at least two climbers in their quest to conquer the hilly terrain.
He said that among the frontrunners are TotalEnergies, who will be banking on six climbers, including Geoffrey Bouchard, winner of the King of the Mountains jersey at the 2021 Giro d’Italia and 2019 Vuelta a Espana, as well as Jordan Jegat.
Emir also expects an intense fight for the polka dot jersey through the climbs up Gunung Jerai, Cameron Highlands (from Tapah) and Genting Highlands.
To heighten the challenge for pure climbers, the organisers have raised the points awarded at Hors Categorie (HC) climbs from 15 to 25 points, thereby making the maximum points available at Gunung Jerai, Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands particularly valuable.
The 30th edition of the LTdL from September 27-October 4 will feature eight stages spanning 1,285.5 kilometres. — Bernama
