KUALA LUMPUR: Competition in the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) general classification (GC) competition is expected to be wide open when the UCI ProSeries event kicks off tomorrow (Sept 28).
There will be no hors categorie climbs this year as Genting Highlands – the tour’s traditional queen stage – has again been left out this season, along with Cameron Highlands.
A brace of category one climbs in Gerik (stage three) and Fraser’s Hill (stage five) are the toughest climbs in the tour this year.
The easier climbs are expected to open up the competition for the Petronas green jersey.
Among those hoping to take a shot at the overall title is Spaniard Mario Aparicio, who won the LTdL mountains classification jersey with Burgos Burpellet BH last year.
“I have good memories after winning the King of the Mountains jersey last year,” said Aparicio during a press conference here today (Sept 27).
“I am back with the goal to defend the jersey and will also try riding for the GC because it looks like the course better suits me this year compared to last season.”
Arguably the biggest name in the LTdL field this year is Uno-X Mobility’s Alexander Kristoff, 38, who has announced that this will be the final race of his professional career.
The Norwegian is a former Tour of Flanders, Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem winner. He also has four Tour de France stage wins under his belt.
Though better known as a sprinter and classics specialist, the easier climbs in LTdL this year could see him having an outside chance in the GC.
“This is my first time here and it could also be the last time that I am racing,” said Kristoff.
“I have seen that there are good opportunities for sprinters in this tour so I am also here to try and win.
“I am short of two victories to reach 100 pro wins so that will be an objective for me here, though I know it will be difficult.
“I really fear the two guys next to me as they are really fast, so we will have to see whether it is possible or not.”
The riders he was referring to are XDS Astana’s Matteo Malucelli and Tudor Pro Cycling’s Arvid de Kleijn who have both excelled in the LTdL bunch sprints in recent seasons.
Malucelli won the LTdL points classification with his former team JCL Team Ukyo after winning three stages last season. His performances earned him a spot in the Astana squad this season.
“A lot of things have changed in the last 12 months. Last year I was here without a contract (for 2025 season),” said Malucelli.
“But my final stage win here last year concluded 10 wins for me last season and was a ticket for me to find a team, a World Tour team (Astana).
“So now I am here with a stronger team and for sure I will try to win again. It is tough to win three stages but the goal of the team is to win. That is why we are here.”
De Kleijn, a four-time LTdL stage winner, has not had the best of seasons this year and will be hungry to finish the season on a positive note.
“I had a big crash during the UAE Tour (Feb) and broke my collar bone. It was a complicated injury and I couldn’t ride for 12 weeks,” said de Kleijn.
“So it was not the best period for me but I am back now and the goal is just to win stages like I have over the past two years here.
“My level is as good as it has been over the past two years so I am looking forward to sprint with the over guys.”
LTdL has made a name for itself as a sprinter’s tour as there are usually six or seven stages that end with bunch sprints each season.
LTdL begins with a 96.7km loop around Langkawi Island tomorrow (Sept 28) featuring intermediate sprints at Harbour Park, Bayas and Padang Matsirat followed by a category four climb at Bukit Malut.
– NST
