Teams and riders competing in Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi arrived in Sarawak yesterday (Oct 4) for the final two stages of the tour in what is anticipated to be a thrilling finale to the UCI ProSeries tour.
For the first time in the history of Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi, Miri and Bintulu will host stages in the tour this year to give more Malaysians a chance to experience the iconic race.
The seventh stage, which starts at Miri Waterfront, will feature intermediate sprints at Suai, Nyalau and Kidurong as well as one category four climb before the finish line in Bintulu.
The penultimate stage of the tour will cover a total distance of 199.3km, which is the longest stage in the tour this year and could offer the breakaway specialists a chance to sneak a victory as was the case in stage six (Batu Pahat-Kulai).
The eighth and final stage (Oct 6) will see riders competing in a loop, covering 147.5km, around Bintulu.
The stage will feature intermediate sprints at Kem Batu 18 and Lasar Kenyalang (two) which will add to its excitement.
The final stage is likely to end in another bunch sprint with sprinters Arvid de Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Gleb Syritsa (Astana Qazaqstan) among the favourites to win. The duo have been in strong form and have already tasted stage wins in this year’s tour.
