petronas le tour langkawi

Tour de Langkawi back with a bang – Preview

The eight-day Malaysian race is back with a late-season slot and a line-up heavy on WorldTour teams

The Petronas Tour de Langkawi returns from October 11 to 18, helping herald the restart of international racing in the region after more than two years where events across the east of Asia have been constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 1097km Malaysian tour, which takes riders through a wall of heat and humidity as they traverse lush forested terrain inland and ride alongside the sparkling blue waters of the coast, began in 1996 but last ran in 2020. 

Its regular early-season time slot meant it managed to go ahead before the pandemic brought things to a halt in 2020, but it was a place on the calendar that had initially looked to be working against it this year. 

The 2022 edition was rescheduled twice – once from March through COVID-19 related issues and then from June due to calendar clashes. The continued pursuit of options other than cancellation, however, means that as well as being one of the last events in the region to run before the pandemic, it will be one of the first to return. 

China’s WorldTour ranked Tour of Guangxi, which was due to finish off the top-tier season, was cancelled again this year. However, the 1.Pro-ranked Japan Cup on October 16, plus the Tour de France Criterium events in Singapore and Japan, mean there will be plenty of international riders making the journey over to the region in October and November.

Whether it’s the time slot, an enthusiasm to return to the region after a period of absence, or the intensity of the relegation battle, it's a bumper crop of top-tier teams on the start list for the Tour de Langkawi this year. UAE Team Emirates, Cofidis, Lotto Soudal, EF Education-EasyPost and Movistar will be lining up at the race for the first time, while Astana-Qazaqstan are returning.  

Alpecin-Deceuninck, soon to be a WorldTour outfit, Uno-X Pro Cycling, Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli, and Burgos-BH have also made the journey to Malaysia to line up alongside national and continental teams largely from the Asia/Pacific region.

That means the promise is high for exciting racing and a Tour de Langkawi that could stand out in history for far more than the unusual October time-slot. 

The contenders

Looking with an eye to the points on offer in a tight relegation battle could potentially have added some extra incentive to travel out to Malaysia for some teams like Movistar and Lotto Soudal when they entered. Now, however, things look settled, with Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech all-but confirmed as the two teams to lose WorldTour status in 2023, while Alpecin-Deceuninck and Arkéa-Samsic are promoted. 

At Langkawi, there are 200 points on offer for the overall winner and 20 per stage win, which will not be enough to change anyone’s fortunes. Movistar are safe after Enric Mas' exploits at the Vuelta a España and Il Lombardia, while Lotto Soudal have a seemingly insurmountable gap of more than a thousand points to their nearest rivals.

That means playing it safe for points isn’t going to be the game for any of those among the field. Instead, it will be an all-out battle for stage, category and overall glory.

UAE Team Emirates are fielding former winner Ryan Gibbons but it seems far more likely that it will be George Bennett who is leading the charge for the team. The rider from New Zealand has had some strong results in the tours in the second half of the season after coming back from a COVID-19-shortened Tour de France. 

He took second at the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon and his seventh overall at the Tour de l’Ain could have potentially been more if an ice sock induced mechanical hadn’t held him back. Perhaps he will be looking for some alternate cooling methods in the heat of Malaysia as he takes on the Tour de Langkawi for the first time.

Movistar have Oscar Rodriguez among their trio of climbers, with the 2018 Vuelta a España stage winner joined by Augusto Rubio Reyes and Vuelta a Asturias winner Iván Sosa . 

Mark Padun and Esteban Chaves are among the EF Education-EasyPost line-up. The tour is familiar territory for Chaves, having placed fourth at the 2014 edition, with fourth on the Genting Highlands finish. It was then a welcome step in his early return from a terrible 2013 crash that left him with brain trauma and a long list of injuries. Asked if he may be looking to make a step up to the podium this year, his answer was: "I’ll do my best and we will see."

Cofidis have the experienced Spanish rider Ion Izagarre as one to watch on the climbing stages, while former Movistar rider Eduardo Sepúlveda – who won a stage of the Tour of Turkey this year and took third overall – is lining up for Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli.

It may be called the Tour of Langkawi but while the island off northwestern Malaysia may be the eponymous endpoint, this is one of those occasions where it is as much about the journey as the destination. 

After flying into Kuala Lumpur, the riders will spend the first three stages within reach of the nation’s capital before the stages stretch out towards the north and then transfer over to Langkawi, known as the Jewel of Kedah, for the last two stages. 

The initial stages aren’t without their challenges, with the 157.3 km opening day from Kuala Pilah including 5 categorised climbs – all category 2 and 3 – before the race charges down from Look Out Point for an expected sprint in front of the Petronas Twin Tower in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. 

Two category 3 climbs await on the flatter stage 2 but it is the longest stage of the race at 178.9km. 

Then there is stage 3, which is set to be a make or break point for overall challengers. The 131.9km stage from Putrajaya to the Genting Highlands has a history of proving pivotal. Riders will face two category 2 climbs, one of them the familiar Look Out Point from near the end of stage 1, as they skirt past Kuala Lumpur and toward the final battle of the day. 

Riders will face the dual challenge of the HC climbs of Gohtong Jaya and Genting Highlands in quick succession with the Gohtong Jaya KOM just 20km before the finish line. It is only a short downhill before the road starts to rise again toward the Genting Highlands finale, with the last 8km of racing delivering an average gradient of 10% and sections of 15%.

Then it is onto Sabak Bernam for a flat 137.9km stage to provide some relief and excitement for the sprinters. The race is likely to also deliver more opportunity for a bunch sprint over the next two stages – stage 5 from Kuala Kangsar to Kulim and stage 6 from Georgetown to Alor Setar – as the race heads north and ever closer to its Langkawi finale. The first stage on Langkawi from Kuah to Gunung Raya may be the shortest of the race at 90.8km but it is not without its challenges and is the most likely stage, after the Genting Highlands, to sway the GC. That is thanks to the route that spirals in toward a steep finishing climb, Gunung Raya, which takes riders from 34m to 864m above sea level over 13km, with the last 300 metres delivering a final sting with a gradient of 15%. The final stage on Tuesday October 18 loops its way around the island on the Kuah Langkawi loop to deliver 115.9km and a finale for the sprinters. Once the riders have crossed the line in Pekan Kuah the jerseys - yellow for overall leader, red for king of the mountains, green for sprint king, and white for best Asian rider - will find their final home.

• Stage 1 - Kuala Pilah to Kuala Lumpur 157.3km
• Stage 2 - Kuala Klawang to Raub 178.9km
• Stage 3 - Putrajaya  to Genting HIghlands 123.7km 
• Stage 4  - Sabak Bernam to Meru Raya  137.9km
• Stage 5 - Kuala Kangsar to Kulim 172km
• Stage 6 - Georgetown to Alor Setar 120.4km
• Stage 7 - Kuah to Gunung Raya, Langkawi 90.8km
• Stage 8 - Kuah Langkawi Loop 115.9km

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Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined Cyclingnews as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at Ella CyclingTips and as a correspondent for Reuters and Bloomberg . Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.

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PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2024

Petronas le tour de langkawi ( ltdl ) 2024.

The eagerly anticipated Le Tour de Langkawi 2024 is set to unfold on the enchanting shores of Langkawi from September 29th to October 6th. This premier cycling event promises a week of exhilarating competition against the backdrop of Langkawi’s stunning landscapes. Cyclists from elite UCI WorldTeams and UCI Professional Continental teams will navigate challenging stages, traversing the island’s diverse terrain. The race encompasses flat stretches for high-speed sprints, mountainous routes demanding climbing prowess, and individual time trials to test each rider’s mettle.

Langkawi’s natural beauty will take center stage, offering spectators and participants alike a visual feast of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and cultural landmarks. Beyond the pursuit of victory, Le Tour de Langkawi 2024 aims to showcase Malaysia’s cultural richness, potentially incorporating passages through charming villages and scenic viewpoints along the route.

As the cycling community eagerly awaits the commencement of this prestigious event, Langkawi is poised to welcome cycling enthusiasts and international teams, solidifying its status as a prime destination for both sports and tourism. Save the dates from September 29th to October 6th for a thrilling week of world-class cycling in the breathtaking setting of Langkawi.

29 Sept. – 6 Oct

Venue: langkawi.

Organiser Details: Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia,

Website : https://www.nsc.gov.my/ Socials : fb/ majlissukannegaramalaysia

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PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 Stage 1: De Kleijn Takes Opening Stage

• SportsWorldMalaysia
• September 23, 2023

KUALA TERENGGANU (23 Sept 2023) – ARVID de Kleijn of Tudor Pro Cycling Team charged strongly ahead of the other frontrunners in a close bunch sprint to take the opening stage of the PETRONAS LE Tour de Langkawi 2023 from Kerteh to Kuala Terengganu. 

It was indeed a sweet victory for the 29-year-old Dutchman, fondly known as “Little Gorilla”, who is making his maiden appearance with the Swiss-based team in the 27th edition of Asia’s ProSeries race. 

Today’s stage win saw De Kleijn emerging as overall race leader which earned him the PETRONAS Green Jersey as well as the KBS Orange Jersey as leader in sprints classification. 

Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team got off to a promising start with climber and two-time KOM jersey winner, Muhammad Nur Aiman Zariff taking the TOURISM MALAYSIA Polka Dot Jersey as leader of the mountains classification.

Nur Aiman collected full points after winning the first KOM ahead of Thailand’s Sarawut Sirironnachai of Thailand Continental Cycling Team in the first KOM at Jerangau (74km) but took the second spot in the Cat. 4 second climb at Sekayu.  

For de Kleijn, today’s stage win was his fifth of the season in five different races, and in five different months. Before coming to Malaysia, the Dutchman won stages in Milano Torino (1.Pro), Deutschland Tour (2.Pro), Boucles de la Mayenne (2.Pro), and ZLM Tour (2.Pro). 

Russian sprinter Gleb Syritsa of Astana Qazaqstan came close to repeating his Stage 1 victory last year but in the end, settled for third, behind Human Powered Health’s Sasha Weemaes. 

“Scrambling towards the finishing line, at one point, I thought I’d lose out to (Gleb) Syritsa due to his superior sprinting power. But being small, I managed to slip through, and I know I had a lot of speed with me…I’m happy to beat him,” said de Kleijn. 

On his thoughts of winning more stages in the race, De Kleijn said: “Winning the two jerseys today, the Petronas Green and KBS Orange jerseys was simply great. But it would be even nicer if I can keep the Green jersey right up after Stage 8.”

For Muhammad Nur Aiman, being in the Tourism Malaysia Polka Dot jersey after the opening day was indeed a good start as he set his eyes on winning the LTdL KOM jersey for the third successive time. 

“Yes, that is my aim, I’ll do my best to achieve the target. I’m in good shape and will give my all to win the KOM jersey for the third time in a row,” he said. 

He reckons that Stage 3 hilly route from Jeli to Baling on Monday would be crucial if he harbours hopes of keeping the KOM jersey. “I’m keeping my eyes and focus on Stage 3, which will be hard but crucial for me and the team,” said Nur Aiman. 

Meanwhile, Mongolian Tegshbayar Batsaikhan of Roojai Online Insurance took the BEAUTIFUL TERENGGANU White Jersey after emerging as the best Asian rider. The Mongolian was also picked as the BUBBLES 02 Most Combative Rider of the day. 

A total of 128 riders with 34 different nationalities from 22 teams lined up at the start point in front of Mesra Mall in Kerteh, which is hosting the race for only the second time. 

Tomorrow’s Stage 2 from Kuala Terengganu to Kota Bharu will see riders starting from Terengganu’s iconic Drawbridge for another day of hard riding on a relatively flat stage, with only three intermediate sprints and two Category 4 climbs. Expect another aggressive race and another fast bunch sprint finish in Kota Bharu tomorrow.  

PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 with the theme ‘Beat The Heat’ is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through the National Sports Council (MSN) and the support of the National Cycling Federation of Malaysia (PKBM), will cover a total race distance of 1,278.1km.

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PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi

Sprint | simpang durian (42.7 km), sprint | karak (96.8 km), sprint | mempaga (144.1 km), points at finish, kom sprint (3) petaseh (8.2 km), kom sprint (3) bukit damar (122.8 km), team day classification, race information.

• Date: 12 October 2022
• Start time: 12:23 (06:23 CET)
• Avg. speed winner: 43.051 km/h
• Race category: ME - Men Elite
• Distance: 178.9 km
• Points scale: 2.PRO.Stage
• UCI scale: UCI.WR.HC.Stage - TM2022
• Parcours type:
• ProfileScore: 19
• Vert. meters: 1382
• Departure: Kuala Klawang
• Arrival: Raub
• Race ranking: 146
• Startlist quality score: 121
• Won how: Sprint of large group
• Avg. temperature:

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PETRONAS was announced on Friday as the title sponsor for the 27th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 (LTdL), where they will now have the leading rider in the General Classification in Green Jersey for the ProSeries tour that will start on Sept. 23-30.

Minister of Youth and Sports YB Hannah Yeoh said at the ceremony to unveil the sponsorship that the presence of the petroleum giant was a welcome addition to the LTdL family given the constant challenges of organizing the annual cycling race.

“KBS is proud of this partnership and would like to extend a million thanks to PETRONAS for being the main sponsor of LTdL 2023.

“And what has made this partnership even better is that PETRONAS has also agreed to be the Title Sponsor for three consecutive years – 2023, 2024, and 2025,” said Hannah.

A total of 22 teams consisting of two (2) World Teams, eight (8) ProTeams, 10 UCI Continental teams, and 2 Continental teams including the  7-Eleven-Cliqq-Air 21 team from the Philippines, will participate.

Also present at the ceremony were PETRONAS Group Senior General Manager of Strategic Communications, Datin Anita Azrina Abd Aziz; Chief Secretary of KBS, Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu; Director General of the National Sports Council (MSN), Dato’ Ahmad Shapawi Ismail; Datuk Abu Sabah Abdul Wahab, President of the National Cycling Federation of Malaysia (PKBM) and Vice President 1 of PKBM, Dato’ Amarjit Singh.

Hannah explained that the amount allocated to KBS to organize the race at the initial stage was only RM8 million and as an organizer, MSN needed a much bigger budget of around at least RM15 to make the ProSeries tour event with a ‘world class’ standard a success.

She said that the situation faced by MSN was a huge challenge in these four months as they had to ensure that the organization of the race remained at the highest level while at the same time looking for ways to garner more sponsorships.

Hannah also praised MSN for providing the right sponsorship package to the management of PETRONAS, enough for them to agree to come on board as the Title Sponsor in a bid to make the LTdL 2023 a resounding success.

“I am sure that the MSN team led by Dato’ Ahmad Shapawi will put in place the best strategy in ensuring that all the sponsorship packages will be fulfilled and implemented,” he said.

As the Title Sponsor, PETRONAS has also been given ‘naming rights’ to the event with the official logo now changed to PETRONAS LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI 2023, which carries the PETRONAS logo on all LTdL event branding.

PETRONAS has also been given the right to the overall leader’s jersey – which is now in PETRONAS green synonymous with the corporate color of the petroleum giant.

“Yellow has been in use for the overall leader‘s jersey for the past 26 years, so we are changing it for the first time to the PETRONAS green. This is a shift in ensuring that LTdL has a unique color for its leader like the yellow ‘Mailot Jeune jersey for the Tour de France and the pink “Maglia Rosa” jersey for the Giro d’Italia.

“I’m sure this decision will give considerable added value to the PETRONAS sponsorship,” she added.

KBS is confident that through ‘live’ broadcast via sports broadcaster Eurosport and hundreds of millions of viewers on local and foreign television, and social media platforms Youtube and TikTok, this will give multiple returns on the amount of sponsorship that has been extended.

Additionally, promotional programs such as the Cavalcade parade and side events will also ensure that the PETRONAS brand and products remain close to the Malaysian populace.

“As an organizer, KBS is also proud at being able to be a partner and ‘have a relationship’ with a world brand name like PETRONAS that has great popularity and credibility, especially in motorsports through their sponsorships of Formula 1 and MotoGP,” added Hannah.

LTdL 2023 is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through MSN in collaboration with the National Cycling Federation of Malaysia (PKBM) is a ProSeries race that starts in Kerteh, this September 23 and will go through 11 of the 12 states in the Peninsula, to end in front of the Twin Towers PETRONAS (KLCC) on September 30, involving a race distance of 1,277.1km.

• Hannah Yeoh
• Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 (LTdL)
• ProSeries tour

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