KUALA LUMPUR – Driven by the pursuit of crucial UCI ranking points, Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) is prepared to forgo the Asian classification battle in favour of bigger targets at the 30th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi 2026 (LTdL26) which will flag-off from September 27 to October 4.
With its position among Asia’s top Continental teams under threat from the XDS-Astana Development Team, TSG must maximise its point haul during LTdL26 to guarantee a top-three spot in the Asian Continental standings.
TSG Chief Operating Officer (COO) Nasiruddin Wan Idrus stated that, unlike in previous years, TSG will field just two local riders alongside four foreign imports from outside Asia.
The goal is to secure a top-10 finish in the General Classification (GC) and steal at least one podium finish on the flat stages.
“We are fielding Muhamad Nur Aiman Zhariff and Muhamad Nur Aiman Rosli in our line-up, alongside four foreign riders – Zeb Kyffin (Great Britain), Adne Willemjan Van Engelen (Netherlands), Pierre Barbier (France) and Matthias Bregnhoj (Denmark).
“We hope to place our climbing specialists inside the GC top 10 and secure at least one podium finish on the sprint stages.
“This is vital because we need maximum ranking points to stay inside the top three among Asian Continental teams, which secures automatic invitations to major races across the continent next season,” said Nasiruddin when contacted.
Looking at TSG’s line-up, Van Engelen, Bregnhoj and two-time King of the Mountains (KOM) jersey winner (2020, 2022) Aiman Zhariff are the team’s primary cards to play in the mountains, while Barbier serves as the lead sprinter for bunch finishes.
Kyffin, a Stage 7 winner at LTdL25 and former Unibet rider alongside breakaway specialist and seven-time national Individual Time Trial (ITT) champion including 2026 season Aiman Rosli, will act as lead-out support for Barbier or launch solo and small-group breakaways to disrupt rival sprinters.
Bregnhoj was TSG’s top GC finisher last year in 11th overall, followed by Van Engelen in 23rd, while Aiman Rosli finished 77th. Kyffin finished 31st overall while riding for Unibet last year.
According to the UCI rankings as of September 20, TSG ranks 37th overall with 1,227 points, placing third among Asian Continental teams behind Li Ning Stars (China) and Roojai Insurance Winspace (Thailand).
XDS-Astana Development Team – the feeder squad for WorldTeam outfit XDS-Astana, who are also competing in LTdL26, sits close behind at 39th in the UCI rankings with 1,148.1 points.
Nasiruddin noted that the surge of new Continental teams in recent years particularly those registered in China and their aggressive recruitment of foreign riders has made the battle for Asia’s top spots increasingly fierce.
“That is why TSG is adopting a different strategic approach for LTdL26, with the aim of achieving all our targets,” he said adding that all six riders are in peak condition following recent outings at the Tour of Lake Taihu (Sept 12–16) and the Tour of Huangshan last Sunday.
Meanwhile, LTdL26 Secretariat Chief Operating Officer (COO) Emir Abdul Jalal remarked that TSG remains a massive draw for local cycling fans despite fielding an adjusted lineup this year.
“TSG has a huge fan base. Aiman Rosli’s performance on Stage 7 from Melaka to Medini last year is still fresh in everyone’s minds and it’s entirely possible he could repeat that feat on terrain that suits his strengths.
“However, LTdL26 presents a very different challenge with three summit finishes at Gunung Jerai, Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands. Physical endurance, mental toughness and recovery will be critical,” Emir said.
The 2.ProSeries LTdL26 kicks off with Stage 1 from Shah Alam to Kampar this Sunday and concludes with Stage 8 from Muar to Putrajaya on October 4, covering a total distance of 1,285.5km.
It is organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through the National Sports Council (NSC), with full support from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).
