Filippo Pozzato Set To Heat Up Race For Yellow Jersey In LTdL

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The inclusion of Italian veteran Filippo Pozzato in the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) will certainly heat up the competition for the Yellow jersey (overall leader) in Asia's most prestigious cycling race. LTdL chief executive officer Emir Abdul Jalal said that despite making his debut at the age of 35, the Wilier Triestina rider had already proven that he is still at his best based on previous achievements, including becoming a stage winner in a few renowned cycling tournaments such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana. "He was also the winner of the 2006 Milan-Sanremo, a race in which he made the top ten again just one year ago. It means he’s still very competitive and he’ll deliver a great show here in Malaysia," Emir said in a statement here Saturday. "Pozzato is one of the true stars of world cycling, not only because of his looks but moreover because of his records," Emir added. He said a bunch of Italian riders such as Pozzato's teammate, Jakub Mareczko, Andrea Palini (Androni Giocattoli), Nicolas Marini (Nippo-Vini Fantini) and also Marco Maronese and Paolo Simion of Bardiani CSF will vie for the Teal jersey as the King of Sprint. Other riders who are also set to vie for the same jersey are New Zealand veteran Greg Henderson of Unitedhealthcare, Australian Scott Sunderland (IsoWhey Sports Swisswellness), Japan’s Shiki Kuroeda (Aisan Racing Team), South Korean Park Sung Baek of KSPO and local stars Anuar Manan and Mohd Harrif Saleh from Terengganu Cycling Team. A bunch of Colombian riders are also set to heat up the competition for the Polka Dot Jersey (King of Mountains) such as Egan Bernal of Androni Giocattoli, Daniel Jaramillo (Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team) alongside debutants, Fernando Orjuela and Bernardo Suaza from the newly upgraded Pro Continental squad Manzana-Postobon. Emir said the organisers were delighted to see riders from all five continents namely North and South America, Europe, Oceania, Africa and also Asia take part in the 22nd edition of the prestigious cycling race which will be held from Feb 22-March 1. A total of 120 riders representing 20 teams are set to feature in the first stage of 2017 LTdL from Kuala Barang to Kuala Terengganu, covering a distance of 124.8km. -- BERNAMA