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By : Arnaz M. Khairul
THE Jelajah Malaysia on April 19-26 was launched with five Malaysian teams representing the country highlighted, but there seems no guarantee that there will be change in the bungling national road programme.
While Jelajah Malaysia chairman Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz presented his UCI 2.2 grade race as among the best development avenues for the country, the national road programme is as it is despite much criticism post-Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Abu Samah Wahab, when asked of changes in the programme, said they are awaiting the return of head coach John Beasley from the UCI Track World Championships in Pruskow, Poland before meeting to discuss any revamps.
"Beasley will be here the whole month of April, so then we can have discussions on what changes we should be making," said Abu Samah.
This comes despite much criticism of the national road programme following a 14th straight fruitless effort in Le Tour de Langkawi in February, where two teams under the MNCF, finished in the bottom two positions of the teams classification.
And inspite of being criticised for their lackadaisical attitude in executing changes, MNCF seem ever too comfortable to pass the buck.
On a positive note, Abu Samah indicated the likelihood of 10-Speed Sdn Bhd, contracted by the federation to organise the Jelajah Malaysia for three years, to be given an extension.
The race, Astaman revealed, had been offered an upgrade to 2.1 status by the International Cycling Union (UCI).
"But we have to balance it all. Our main purpose is to serve as a development race and we want to be recognised as the best 2.2 race in the world," said Astaman.
"Our aim is to provide our cyclists a race in which they stand a chance to improve their performances, win something and progress to the next level."
He was speaking after the launch of the race at the National Sports Institute (NSI) yesterday which was officiated by Deputy Sports Minister Wee Jack Seng.
In all, 20 teams will compete in the 45th year of the region's oldest stage race this year with five local teams carrying the hopes of the nation.
The country will be represented by the national team, Le Tua Cycling Team, the MNCF continental team, the Armed Forces and the new Toshiba-Bike Labz-Terengganu team.
The race this year has been increased to eight stages, one less from the originally planned nine stages, but still a stage more than last year's edition.
This brings the overall distance to 1,240 kilometres, but more notably with two category one climbs at Titiwangsa during Stage Three of the race on April 21 and the climb up to Gohtong Jaya in Genting Highlands on the penultimate stage.
The route -- Stage 1, April 19: 176.8km from Kuala Selangor to Ipoh; Stage 2, April 20: 192.7km from Ipoh to Sungai Petani; Stage 3, April 21: 172.7km from Gerik to Tanah Merah; Stage 4, April 22: 177.5km from Pasir Mas to Kuala Terengganu; Stage 5, April 23: 199.5km from Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan; Stage 6, April 24: 134km from Kuantan to Bera; Stage 7, April 25: 116km from Tanjung Malim to Genting; Stage 8, April 26: 70.4km Kuala Lumpur Criterium.
Source: http://www.nst.com.my
THE Jelajah Malaysia on April 19-26 was launched with five Malaysian teams representing the country highlighted, but there seems no guarantee that there will be change in the bungling national road programme.
While Jelajah Malaysia chairman Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz presented his UCI 2.2 grade race as among the best development avenues for the country, the national road programme is as it is despite much criticism post-Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Abu Samah Wahab, when asked of changes in the programme, said they are awaiting the return of head coach John Beasley from the UCI Track World Championships in Pruskow, Poland before meeting to discuss any revamps.
"Beasley will be here the whole month of April, so then we can have discussions on what changes we should be making," said Abu Samah.
This comes despite much criticism of the national road programme following a 14th straight fruitless effort in Le Tour de Langkawi in February, where two teams under the MNCF, finished in the bottom two positions of the teams classification.
And inspite of being criticised for their lackadaisical attitude in executing changes, MNCF seem ever too comfortable to pass the buck.
On a positive note, Abu Samah indicated the likelihood of 10-Speed Sdn Bhd, contracted by the federation to organise the Jelajah Malaysia for three years, to be given an extension.
The race, Astaman revealed, had been offered an upgrade to 2.1 status by the International Cycling Union (UCI).
"But we have to balance it all. Our main purpose is to serve as a development race and we want to be recognised as the best 2.2 race in the world," said Astaman.
"Our aim is to provide our cyclists a race in which they stand a chance to improve their performances, win something and progress to the next level."
He was speaking after the launch of the race at the National Sports Institute (NSI) yesterday which was officiated by Deputy Sports Minister Wee Jack Seng.
In all, 20 teams will compete in the 45th year of the region's oldest stage race this year with five local teams carrying the hopes of the nation.
The country will be represented by the national team, Le Tua Cycling Team, the MNCF continental team, the Armed Forces and the new Toshiba-Bike Labz-Terengganu team.
The race this year has been increased to eight stages, one less from the originally planned nine stages, but still a stage more than last year's edition.
This brings the overall distance to 1,240 kilometres, but more notably with two category one climbs at Titiwangsa during Stage Three of the race on April 21 and the climb up to Gohtong Jaya in Genting Highlands on the penultimate stage.
The route -- Stage 1, April 19: 176.8km from Kuala Selangor to Ipoh; Stage 2, April 20: 192.7km from Ipoh to Sungai Petani; Stage 3, April 21: 172.7km from Gerik to Tanah Merah; Stage 4, April 22: 177.5km from Pasir Mas to Kuala Terengganu; Stage 5, April 23: 199.5km from Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan; Stage 6, April 24: 134km from Kuantan to Bera; Stage 7, April 25: 116km from Tanjung Malim to Genting; Stage 8, April 26: 70.4km Kuala Lumpur Criterium.
Source: http://www.nst.com.my
