HAVING now secured UCI ProSeries status, grand plans are in store for Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) when it celebrates its silver jubilee next year.
In addition to bringing the race to East Malaysia and expanding it from eight to 10 stages, organisers Human Voyage Sdn Bhd disclosed that they planned to invite 10 world tour teams to compete next season.
No world tour teams were able to compete this year as the race clashed with other major events in April. The race will revert to its traditional date in early February next year.
“We have already applied to the UCI to expand the race from eight to 10 stages next year,” said Human Voyage chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Mustafa.
“We will try to meet the minimum number of world tour teams (for a ProSeries event), which is six, next year. However, we are looking at 10 teams.”
He admitted that bringing the race to Sabah and Sarawak will be challenging but is confident of pulling it off successfully.
“The race will flag off in Kota Kinabalu and travel to Kuching for the second stage,” he added.
“The third stage will begin in Kuala Terengganu followed by the rest of the stages in the Peninsular. Genting Highlands will remain as the queen stage and the race will end in Langkawi.
“Logistically it will be challenging, the transfer from Sabah to Sarawak, for example, is roughly 1,000 kilometres in distance.
“We will seek help from the Armed Forces for the use of a Charlie (Hercules C-130 aircraft) for our logistic requirements as well as charter an aircraft for personnel and teams.”