FOREIGN TEAMS RATE JM TO TOUR DE FRANCE

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Foreign teams which took part in the
just concluded Jelajah Malaysia or Tour of Malaysia (JM 2009) heaped praise on
race organiser, Ten Speed Events Sdn Bhd for an incident free race.

Savings & Loans Cycling Team manager Patrick Jonker said that though it was
just a UCI 2.2 status race, it was organised very professionally.

"The race was organised very professionally. Although it is just a UCI
(International Cycling Union) 2.2 status race, I see it as big as the Tour
de France race.

"The management, the route chosen and the logistics was superb. The riders
were thrilled by a number of surprises in the various stages put on by the race
organiser which challenged the riders' ability," Jonker told Bernama after the
race Sunday.

He added that his team, which made the JM 2009 debut this year, was looking
forward to the next JM.

Jonker added that by participating in a race that was held in the earlier
months of the year it would act as a good platform for preparations to compete
in other cycling tours.

The team has been a regular participant in races in Oceania and North
America and was categorised as one of the best UCI continental team from
Australia.

In the JM 2009 team general classification, Savings & Loans Cycling Team
finished in third position behind Tabriz Petrochemical Team and Azad University
Continental Team with its youngest rider, Timothy Roe winning the yellow jersey,
as the overall individual classification winner.

For Jelly Belly Cycling Team from the United States, also making their
debut in JM, the race was both interesting and tough.

"It was a great race. Although our riders did not win any stage or jersey
but they put on a strong challenge to the other participating teams. Our riders
finished in the top 10, in almost every stage.

"I would like to congratulate the organiser for putting together a
professional and high standard race. Everything was great...the organisation,
the race, the route, participating teams and also the strong support from the
local fans. I'm sure we will be back next year," said team manager, Danny Van
Haute.

Meanwhile, Ghader Mizbani of Tabriz Petrochemical noted that although the
JM race status was not as high as the other Malaysia organised Tour race, the Le
Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), it still gave an avenue for the Asian riders to excel.

"This race is good for the Asian riders to gain some top class cycling
experience. The race gave a balance chance for the sprinters and climbers at
each stage," said the 34-year-old rider from Iran.
-- BERNAMA