ID :
155959
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 10:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/155959
The shortlink copeid
DRAPAC SET TO CONQUER LTDL 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- The 2010 season was considered the most prominent for Australian continental team, Drapac Professional Cycling (formerly known as Drapac-Porsche), after tasting success in Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Japan Cup, Tour of Okinawa, Melbourne-Warnabool and the recent Tour of Bright.
According to LTdL media department in a statement Tuesday, the Melbourne-based squad aims to continue that momentum at this year's edition although without their star rider, Peter McDonald claimed fourth overall and crowned as the King of the Mountain for the 2010 LTdL, by improving from sixth overall.
Drapac will rely on experienced Dutch rider Floris Goesinnen to climb the difficult mountain stages of Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.
"Goesinnen specialises in finding opportunities to breakaway from the peloton early in the race," said team manager Agostino Giramondo in a statement.
Geosinnen had been crowned the King of Mountain at Driedaagse de Panne, runner-up in Denmark Runhfahrt and finished fourth in the Grand Prix Temse last year.
Besides Geosinnen, the team will be banking on five other riders -- David Pell, Rhys Pollock, Tom Palmers and Stuart Shaw of Australia and Malaysia's Muhamad Adiq Husainnie Othman.
Muhamad Adiq Hussainie, who was the national road race champion, became the best Malaysian rider in last year's edition after finishing 35th overall.
However, 23-year-old Amir Mustafa Rusli, the second Malaysian who joined Drapac for 2011, was not listed in the team's line-up.
The east coast state of Terengganu lad completed last year under the Malaysian National Team and stood as the second best Malaysian.
"Even without newly signed Amir Mustafa assisting him in the team, we are looking forward to see Adiq perform with an impressive list of riders forming Drapac this year," said LTdL chief executive officer Mohamed Salleh.
He added that with the increasing performance of Terengganu born riders in recent years, Drapac should be among the favourite throughout eight flat stages at this year's edition.
According to LTdL media department in a statement Tuesday, the Melbourne-based squad aims to continue that momentum at this year's edition although without their star rider, Peter McDonald claimed fourth overall and crowned as the King of the Mountain for the 2010 LTdL, by improving from sixth overall.
Drapac will rely on experienced Dutch rider Floris Goesinnen to climb the difficult mountain stages of Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.
"Goesinnen specialises in finding opportunities to breakaway from the peloton early in the race," said team manager Agostino Giramondo in a statement.
Geosinnen had been crowned the King of Mountain at Driedaagse de Panne, runner-up in Denmark Runhfahrt and finished fourth in the Grand Prix Temse last year.
Besides Geosinnen, the team will be banking on five other riders -- David Pell, Rhys Pollock, Tom Palmers and Stuart Shaw of Australia and Malaysia's Muhamad Adiq Husainnie Othman.
Muhamad Adiq Hussainie, who was the national road race champion, became the best Malaysian rider in last year's edition after finishing 35th overall.
However, 23-year-old Amir Mustafa Rusli, the second Malaysian who joined Drapac for 2011, was not listed in the team's line-up.
The east coast state of Terengganu lad completed last year under the Malaysian National Team and stood as the second best Malaysian.
"Even without newly signed Amir Mustafa assisting him in the team, we are looking forward to see Adiq perform with an impressive list of riders forming Drapac this year," said LTdL chief executive officer Mohamed Salleh.
He added that with the increasing performance of Terengganu born riders in recent years, Drapac should be among the favourite throughout eight flat stages at this year's edition.
