LTDL 2024: MPC DRAW UP STRATEGY TO TACKLE STAGE ONE

LANGKAWI, Sept 27 -- The Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) team have formulated a preliminary strategy to ensure they can end Stage One of the 2024 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) with a positive result on Sunday (Sept 29).

MPC team director Sayuti Zahit said that, based on their early study and monitoring of the final 20 kilometres (km) towards the finish line, they found that riders would face some challenging terrains in the Bukit Malut area, which could derail some teams.

Stage One of the LTdL 2024 will take off in Pekan Kuah, with the cyclists circling Pulau Langkawi.

"In the final 20km, the route in the Bukit Malut area is quite challenging. For those who do not carry out preliminary monitoring, there is a possibility that their riders might be separated before heading downhill. We might even have just one rider at the finish line (instead of a bunched finish),”  he said today.

He also reminded his riders to always be careful and prepared to face any eventualities in that area.

"We want a positive result in Stage One. Our riders are all fired up to give their best despite our all-local lineup,” he said.

Sayuti said the MPC will be banking on six of the 11 chosen riders to show their mettle, with Mohammad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil and Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah set to shine in the flat terrains.

Muhammad Zawawi Azman, Muhammad Syawal Mazlin, Zulfikri Zulkifli and Mohammad Fahmi Khairul will be relied on to steal the show in the climbs, especially in Stage Three (from Taiping to Cameron Highlands).

"We have four solid climbers and they proved their worth at the Tour of Salalah in Oman,” said Sayuti.

Sayuti has also set several targets for the team, including clinching the white jersey (Best Asian Rider), Red Jersey (King of the Mountain) and podium finishes at the 28th edition of the LTdL.

-- BERNAMA