PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) will feature fully local riders in the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) end of this month.
MPC will be the third Malaysian team after Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) and the national team.
MPC sports director Sayuti Zahit said they have already selected six riders – Zulfikri Zulkifli, Mohd Syawal Mazlin, Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil, Ahmad Syazrin Awang llah, Mohd Fahmi Khairul and Zawawi Azman.
The riders warmed up for the LTdL in the Tour of Salalah in Oman last week.
“The team are building a balanced strategy between sprinters and climbers. Izzat will be the main sprinter while Zawawi, Syawal and Zulfikri are expected to maintain the team’s position in the top 10 at the climbing stage, like in Cameron Highlands,” said the former national cyclist.
MPC, who were established in August last year, is a rebranding of the now disbanded Sapura Cycling Team (TSC).
MPC did not participate in the LTdL last year. However, the team are now aiming to be on the podium in this edition, which has a flatter course without the Genting Highlands climbing stage.
LTdL 2024 will involve eight race stages with a total distance of 1,190km, including two in Sarawak.
A total of 22 teams, including three WorldTeam – EF Education Easypost (United States), Astana Qazaqstan Team (Kazakhstan) and DMS Firminich PostNL (Holland) – have committed to the LTdL.
– The Star
