News for February 1

Langkawi 2002 a race of firsts

By Tommy Campbell in Malaysia

FOR the first time in its history, all five continents will be represented in the 2002 10-day Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi, which starts with a hilly 20.3 km individual time trial in Putrajaya today .

"At time when the world is facing uncertainties following the September 11 incident, we need to be united and show our strength and courage," the event's executive chairman, Datuk Wan Lokman Dato' Paduka Wan Ibrahim, said.

"The presence of riders from all over the world is proof that Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi still has its attractions as one of the major cycling events in the world.

The logistics of staging the event are huge. Apart from the 154 competitors from 22 professional and amateur teams actually competing, the race will compromise 500 vehicles and more than 1500 officials, staff and volunteers.

To complement the main competition, which is offering $400,000 (RM1.5 million) in total prize money, Le Tour will also feature many side events at the start and finishing points and a colourful procession.

The race is shaping up to be an event of "firsts" - the strong international showing not withstanding.

Highlights include:

* The UCI fifth-ranked Lotto-Adecco-ABX cycling team, which has been given a warm welcome by Adecco Malaysia, is making its debut here;

* Colin Lewis and Graham Jones, two former professional cyclists who took part in the Tour de France, are working on the technical side of the event;

* Former great, Francesco Moser, is also in Malaysia to see, first-hand, the organisation of an event which has grown in stature since its first running in 1996;

* Graeme Miller, the New Zealander who has been a regular competitor in the event, has signed up for the Mercury team in the United States;

* iteamNova.com, is its debut on the international scene here after being launched in Australia in December. Its manager, Sean Yates ( the former maillot jaune British professional) reckons that team member Allan Iacoune will be up there in the final shake-up come Sunday week;

* to facilitate live coverage of television on day one of the event in Putrajaya, the organisation has deemed that the fifth competitor on each team of 7 will be the seeded competitor; and

* the final hour of racing will be carried live on RTM Television each day of the entire tour.

Telekom Malaysia is aiming to finish in the top five in the race, which starts today.

The New Zealander Graeme Miller will lead the team. Last year it won the Asian and individual titles.

Stage Four from Tapah to Bentong over 176.4km with a category one climb at Fraser Hill, could see some big changes in the overall classification, plus of course the climb up Genting on the penultimate day.