LANGKAWI — With less than 72 hours remaining before the start of Asia’s oldest road cycling race, Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), the unpredictable weather has become a major concern for the organizers.
The first stage starts this Sunday in Langkawi.
Langkawi, synonymous with LTdL since its inception in 1996, will once again be in the spotlight after being excluded from the race route last year.
However, its return this year might face some disruption as weather conditions could potentially affect the race.
On September 20, the Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a warning that Malaysia is entering the early phase of the monsoon season.
This shift is expected to cause thunderstorms, often accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, especially in the afternoons and evenings across much of the western and inland regions of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sabah, as well as central and western Sarawak.
The weather forecast for the next three days in Langkawi indicates that several areas on the island are likely to experience heavy rain and thunderstorms, adding to the concerns.
According to LTdL Chief Operating Officer Emir Abdul Jalil, canceling any stage of the race is not an option. The organisers are committed to completing all eight stages as planned, regardless of the weather conditions.
“For the Langkawi route and up to Stage 6, even if rain is expected, the race will proceed as planned. According to UCI (International Cycling Union) regulations, if conditions become severe, like flooding, the race can be neutralised or canceled.
“No matter what happens, the race has to go on. Cyclists around the world are used to facing all kinds of weather, whether it’s rain or shine.
“The commissioner will make a decision during the race; if flooding occurs, he will decide whether to neutralise it or stop at a certain point. There’s always a way to handle these situations.
“If conditions become too severe, the race may be canceled. Preparations will be made in every location the night before, and there will be a meeting with the team managers to ensure everything is ready.
“All necessary support must be in place. There’s no reason for any delays. If possible, the race should continue without stopping,” said Emir.
The 2022 edition saw heavy rain in Langkawi, leading to flooding in several areas and landslides on the route to Gunung Raya.
This situation left the organisers with no choice but to redesign the course, with the commission’s approval, as they had already entered the seventh stage of the race, which was also the final stage.
If any routes encounter similar conditions as those two years ago, which were severely affected by the recent stormy weather, adjustments will be made.
Nevertheless, the organisers are committed to ensuring that the course continues to provide a challenging and exciting experience for all cyclists.
“We are no strangers to making alternative routes. Our team has done it many times without affecting the start or finish locations. We know that Langkawi offers excellent routes.
“As for the northern sections in Kedah, we’ve already scouted them, and everything is in great shape,” he added. – September 27, 2024