SAVINGS & LOANS BANKING ON JAI CRAWFORD FOR JM 2009

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The Savings & Loans Cycling Team, from Australia, is fielding its top rider, Jai Crawford to compete in the Tour of Malaysia 2009 (JM 2009) which will kick off on April 19 until 26.

Tour of Malaysia executive director Astaman Abdul Aziz said Crawford would
be fresh from his success in clinching the second spot in the individual
category behind Jose Serpa Perez (Diquigiovanni-Androni) at the Le Tour de
Langkawi (LTdL) 2009, in February.

The rider who adopts the motto, "Don't start climbing that mountain unless
you're going to the top", also ended overall second in the Tour of Japan 2008,
he said in a statement here Tuesday.

Astaman said the 26-year-old rider from the continental-class team had vast
experience to pose a threat to the other riders from the 21 teams competing in
the JM 2009.

Crawford will be joined by the champion and runner-up in the Australian
National Road Race Series 2008, David Pell and Tim Roe respectively, he said.

The JM 2009, with a 2.2 status, will consist of eight stages covering a
total of 1,329.6 kilometres beginning in Kuala Selangor and passing through
several states namely Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and
ending in the Kuala Lumpur criterium.

The Savings & Loans Cycling team comprises Jai Crawford, David Pell, Tim
Roe, Steve Robb, Will Dickeson dan Joel Pearson.
-- BERNAMA