Climbers Set to Dominate LTdL 2017

By MAZANI CHAN YAT SIN KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Climbing specialists are expected to dominate the race for the yellow jersey (overall individual champion) when Asia's top cycling race, Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2017 is flagged off here Wednesday. Team Manzana Postobon of Colombia, making their debut, will be the team to watch as most of their six riders are climbers with an average age of 24. Pro cycling team UnitedHealthcare rider, Daniel Alexander Jaramillo Diaz of Colombia is expected to be the top challenger as the 2016 LTdL runner-up, behind champion Reinardt Janse van Rensburg of pro tour team, Dimension Data. Past performances saw several climbers from Colombia winning the yellow jersey despite the sprinters dominating the race in the initial stages. The fourth stage of LTdL 2017 over 174.4km from Seri Manjung to Cameron Highlands is described as the toughest stage (queen stage) as riders need to climb 1,450 metres from sea level and is expected to determine the winner of the yellow jersey. Malaysia's challenge for the White jersey (best Asian rider) was muted when defending champion Muhd Adiq Husainie Othman of Terengganu Cycling Team had to pull out due to an injury. LTdL chief executive officer, Emir Abdul Jalil feels the race will be wide open with several teams such as KSPO of South Korea and KFC of Indonesia fielding their best riders. "KSPO are sending the best six riders while several Indonesian riders are also strong contenders for the White jersey. "I believe a foreigner will don the White jersey this time," Emir said. A slash in grant from Youth and Sports Ministry to LTdL organiser, Ciclista Sports Sdn Bhd from RM16 million to RM11 million (US$3.58 million to (US$2.46 million) this year, will see the traditional stage in Langkawi dropped this year. The LTdL 2017 involves eight stages with an overall distance of 1,222,2km. Stage one starts from Kuala Berang to Kuala Terengganu over 124.8km, second stage Jerteh-Gerik (208.1km), third stage Serdang-Pantai Remis (118km) and the fourth stage is from Seri Manjung to Cameron Highlands over a distance of 174.4km. The fifth stage is from Meru Raya to Kuala Kubu Bharu over 151.5km, the sixth stage from Senawang-Muar (176.3km), seventh stage Melaka-Rembau (148.1km) and the last stage from Setiawangsa to Putrajaya is over a distance of 121km. -- BERNAMA