LANGKAWI: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has officially joined the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) as the title sponsor for the next three years, beginning with this year’s edition which gets underway next week.
The national oil and gas company was unveiled as the title sponsor in a sponsorship ceremony officiated by Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in Langkawi earlier today (Thursday).
Petronas’ involvement as the exclusive title sponsor of LTdL will be over three years from this year until 2021. The sponsorship will be in the form of cash and kind.
The 8-stage race, which covers a total distance of 1,234.4km over
nine states in the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia, will start off in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers as the stunning backdrop on April 6 (Saturday).
The Tour will come to an end with a penultimate round-island challenge and the finale on April 12 (Friday) and 13 (Saturday).
Petronas has been LTdL’s long-time partner since 1997, and has contributed immensely to the successful organisation of past editions of the race.
Petronas’ long-term involvement in LTdL ensures vehicles and cars used
to transport teams, riders, officials, media, cavalcade, police escorts and race
staff, will be adequately fueled throughout the 8-day duration of the race.
Sports Minister Syed Saddiq expressed his gratitude over Petronas’ major commitment towards LTdL, saying that the national oil and gas company’s involvement in the Tour has helped the Tour evolve into what it has become today.
LTdL is currently among the leading 2.0HC races under the UCI Asia Tour calendar which offers UCI ranking points, apart from the lucrative prize money offered by the organisers.
“I wish to record my gratitude to Petronas who are coming in, in a big way to
support and ensure the smooth organisation of this year’s Tour. LTdL is much
more than just a cycling race. It has become a national agenda which helps in
the promotion of sports tourism and spurs the local economy as well,” said
Syed Saddiq.
Petronas believes that LTdL is a good platform for the company to build and project its brand both locally and internationally. “We believe that LTdL is a good branding platform beyond race tracks in Motorsports, for both Petronas and the country. As a title sponsor for the next three years, we are continuing our brand building effort, both domestically and Internationally,” said Noor Afiza Mohd Yusof, Petronas’ head of brand management.
This year’s edition will start off with a challenging 176.9 km hilly route from the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) in the heart of the city to Dataran Tampin in Negri Sembilan.
The much awaited Genting climb takes place on the fourth day from Shah
Alam.
In line with the Tour’s “Sports Unites, Cycling Contributes” theme, the
organisers are hoping that this year’s edition receives even greater response and support from spectators, masses and fans across Malaysia.
A total of 22 teams comprising outfits from the World Tour, Pro-Continental,
Continental and National Teams tiers are down for action in the Tour
organised by Human Voyage Sdn Bhd.