KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Nur Aiman Rosli plans to conserve his energy through the three mountain stages before launching an attack in the closing stages of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Aiman, who secured a second-place stage finish in last year’s edition, has targeted the final three stages as his best opportunity to hunt for a victory.
The seven-time consecutive national champion said he does not intend to push himself to the limit on the three climbing stages, aiming instead to finish safely within the time cut.
This year’s edition features three demanding mountain stages: Stage 2 from Taiping to Gunung Jerai, Stage 4 from Meru Raya to Cameron Highlands, and Stage 5 from Tapah to Genting Highlands.
“There are three climbing stages this year. So, I plan to complete those stages without overexerting myself and make sure I don’t miss the time cut.
“I want to save my energy for Stages 6, 7, and 8. I will try to make a breakaway stick all the way to the finish line, rather than just being a passenger in the breakaway group.
“That really is my strategy. For the final three stages, I will go all out to the finish line and conserve as much energy as possible before then,” he said.
Aiman said this approach mirrors the strategy he used last year, where he focused all his energy on stages that best suited his strengths.
Stages 7 and 8 also hold special meaning for Aiman this time around, as the race route passes through his hometown of Tangkak, Johor.
The opportunity will undoubtedly provide an extra boost of motivation, especially with his family expected to be out along the route to cheer him on.
“Just like last year, once the stages I’m targeting arrive, I’ll give it everything I have.
“I hope my family can come out to show their support, and after that, hopefully contest for a win in Putrajaya,” said Aiman, who finished runner-up on Stage 7 from Melaka to Medini last year.
– NST
