12th Tour de Langkawi - 2.HC

Malaysia, February 2-11, 2007

Photography

Stage 10 - February 11: Kuala Lumpur Criterium, 55.9

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Malaysian dancers prepare for the pre-stage entertainment on the final day in Kuala Lumpur
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) gets a rare moment to himself on the podium before the start of the final stage in Kuala Lumpur
• The man behind the Le Tour de Langkawi ,Alan Rushton from England (right), chats with eventual race winner Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) on the startline
• Pre-stage entertainment as the Tour leader straps in
• The Tour's three competition leaders (L-R): Walter Pedraza (King of the Mountains winner), Anthony Charteau (Tour winner), and Alberto Loddo (Sprint points winner) prepare for the final stage
• Riders head up the home straight during the finals stage criterium in Kuala Lumpur
• The peloton head towards the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
• What the!! The arse end of the peloton perhaps?
• Three riders tried to grab the final stage by the scruff of the neck and got a break on the rest of the field
• The peloton under Chinese lanterns on the streets of Kuala Lumpur
• The charge to the line and the finish to the Tour in Kuala Lumpur
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni)(far right), takes out his fifth stage win of the Tour and equals the record set by Australian Graeme Brown in 2005
• That's my boy! Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team-manager Gianni Savio (right) with five-time stage winner Alberto Loddo
• Media photographers snap away as Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) raises one hand to signal five stage victories
• Scullylaggy (Malaysian for again) it's Alberto Loddo… The Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni rider has graced the podium on no less than five occasions this Tour
• The winning team overall on GC and best Asian team of the Tour; the Giant Asia Racing Team on the podium with a proud team-manager Chiung Fung Wu of China (far right)
• Ghader Mizbani (Giant Asia Racing Team) was the winner of the best Asian rider overall on the Tour
• Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) awaits his introduction as the Genting King of the Mountains winner
• Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) in his Genting King of the Mountains competition winning jersey
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) salutes the crowd in his Petronas Sprint Points competition winner's jersey
• Tour winner Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) acknowledges the crowd's applause as he steps onto the podium in Kuala Lumpur
• A smiling Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) has won the 2007 Le Tour de Langkawi by 1'02" from Jose Serpa of the Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team
• The final podium of the Tour… With all the winners
• A large crowd had gathered around the final stage press conference to hear the words of the Tour's stars
• Tour winner Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) waves goodbye to media and their questions as he leaves the final stage press conference

Stage 9 - February 10: Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur, 170.5 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Malaysian band members await their call up for pre-stage entertainment in Putrajaya
• Tatts are back! Nic Sanderson (South Australia.com) displays his tattoo before the start of stage nine
• The South Australia.com team (L-R): Wes Sulzberger, Gene Bates, Nic Sanderson, William Ford and Jonathon Clarke; absent, Shaun Higgerson who became ill and has returned to Australia
• English photographer John Pierce snaps one of the new moto-pilots to will be introduced to the Tour next year - or so photographers hope
• Jai Crawford (Giant Asia Racing Team) from Tasmania, Australia is headed for his best career result so far. Crawford is currently placed fifth overall on the GC
• The Tour departs Putrajaya leaving one of Kuala Lumpur's most beautiful mosques behind
• Thirteen riders formed a break after around thirteen kilometres of the penultimate stage of the Tour
• The peloton wind their way beneath skinny palms searching for the leaders some two minutes up the road
• It was the hottest day of the Tour so far and I couldn't wait for the riders any longer before my ice-cream would melt…sorry guys
• Three riders opened up a gap on the first climb of the day which completely splintered the race after the intitial lead group were caught
• Sergey Kolesnikov (Unibet.com), David George (South Africa) and Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems) soon found themselves with a gap to the rest on the category two climb at Bukit Tangga
• Riders give chase to the leading trio on the category two climb up Bukit Tangga
• Tour leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) in yellow, back in a chasing group of riders on the climb at Bukit Tangga
• Commentator David Duffield from England entertains the crowd awaiting the riders to the finish in Seremban
• It was a brutt of a day with the mercury rising above forty degrees but it didn't stop this brutt from claiming the stage; Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems) from Russia wins stage nine
• Daryl Impey (right) of the South African team edges out Gene Bates (South Australia.com) for seventh place on stage nine
• Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems) on the podium in Seremban the winner of stage nine
• Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) gets a helping hand with his Genting King of the Mountains leader's jersey
• Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) points to the heavens after sewing up the Genting King of the Mountains Championship of the Tour
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) takes a twenty-four point lead into the final day in the Petronas Sprint Points Championship
• (L-R): Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) stretches whilst stage winner Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems) and Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) compare trophies on the podium
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) will take a 01'02" lead into the final stage in Kuala Lumpur
• A podium moment with (L-R): Alberto Loddo (Sprint Points leader), Ghader Mizbani (Best Asian rider overall), Anthony Charteau (Tour leader), Walter Pedraza (King of the Mountains leader), and Pavel Brutt (stage winner)
• Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff Credit Systems) from Russia gives the thumbs-up to his stage victory at the post-stage press conference

Stage 8 - February 9: Proton, Shah Alam - Genting Highlands, 84.4 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Is a big night out the key to climbing up Genting? Stage winner Jose Serpa (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) finds the pre-stage entertainment a little tiring
• Riders are under race-control as they approach a Mosque in Kuala Lumpur
• The lead-group that formed on the roads out of Kuala Lumpur bound for the Genting Highlands
• Traffic in Kuala Lumpur came to a standstill as the Tour headed for the Genting Highlands
• The peloton head through a Petronas Sprint Point with the world's largest Indian temple at left
• Elephants watch the Tour speed by near Kuala Lumpur on stage eight…nah there not real
• The leaders beneath trees approaching the lower slopes of the Genting Highlands
• The peloton on the lower slopes approaching the climb up to Genting Highlands
• Jose Serpa (right) and Walter Pedraza of the Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team lead the Tour up the Genting Highlands
• Jose Rujano (Unibet.com) goes in search of the leading duo
• The yellow jersey group give chase to the leaders up Genting
• Tour leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) and Yoann Le Boulanger (Equipe Bouygues Telecom) feel the strain on the climb
• Jose Serpa (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) takes out the stage to the Genting Highlands for the second year in a row
• Jai Crawford (Giant Asia Racing Team) from Tasmania rode brilliantly into fifth place on both the stage and GC classification
• Tour leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) punches the air after retaining the yellow jersey despite losing 3'36" to stage winner Jose Serpa
• Sprint Points leader Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) was happy to make the cut on the difficult stage up the Genting Highlands
• Paul Sherwen (right) interviews stage winner Jose Serpa (L) and his Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team-manager Gianni Savio
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) recovers with his bike along-side after retaining the yellow jersey at the completion of stage eight
• Tiaan Kannemeyer (South Africa) recovers from the climb after being a part of the initial leading group of riders leaving Kuala Lumpur
• A delighted Jose Serpa (Serramneti PVC Diquigiovanni) on the podium in the Genting Highlands
• Ghader Mizbani (Giant Asia Racing Team) is now the best placed Asian rider on the GC
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) steps onto the podium to receive his Tour leader's yellow jersey
• Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) after his great climb is now the new leader of the Genting King of the Mountains Competition
• It was hard-work for Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) but he now leads the Genting King of the Mountains Competition
• Jose Serpa (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) now lies 1'02" behind Tour leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) with two stages remaining
• Workmen getting higher on the finish-line scaffolding in the mist of the Genting Highlands

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) knows what it's like to try to defend the leader's jersey. But he won't re-live past Tour de France glory in Langkawi this year.
• The weather was beautiful for stage 8
• Walter Pedraza (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) attacks the climb
• Mike Creed (Slipstream) holds the wheel of Pedraza
• The South African team train
• Pedraza on his own
• Koji Fukashima suffering
• Jose Serpa alone on the road
• Jose Serpa has the top of the climb in sight
• Serpa on the steep part of the Genting Highlands climb
• Pedraza was happy with his team's performance on stage 8
• Jose Rujano (Unibet.com) was third
• David George (South Africa) had a great ride to come in fourth
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) turned himself inside out to keep the yellow jersey
• Charteau and his team worked hard to keep the lead
• Rujano leads Pedraza on the early part of the climb
• Charteau gets marked by the Giant Asia team
• Jose Serpa moved up to second on GC
• Charteau was excited to keep the jersey for another day
• The Selle Italia team gets honoured

Stage 7 - February 8: Kuantan - Karak, 174.0 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• The peloton on the roads of Malaysia
• The lead group that formed the winning break on stage seven
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) drives the leaders
• Multiple stage winner Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) was in the lead group and hoping for another victory
• The peloton in search of the leaders some five minutes ahead
• Mates in the peloton… Md Nor Umardi Rosdi (L) and Saryana Amin of the Letua Cycling Team
• Thomas Voeckler (1) of the Bouygues Telecom team spent some time at the back of the peloton on stage seven
• Timothy Duggan (Team Slipstream) of the USA awaits his team-car for supplies
• Commissaire President Philippe Marien (right) and Marc Bollen (Secretary Belgium Cycling) both of Belgium relax back in the commissiare's car on stage seven
• Ian McLeod (Francaise des Jeux) is all smiles and why not, he is in sixth position overall 4'43" behind the Tour leader
• Nicholas White (South Africa) lies in 76th position overall after seven stages
• Riders from the Francaise des Jeux team back in the peloton on stage seven
• Julian Dean drives the Credit Agricole train looking for the lead group on stage seven
• The leaders head up a climb in the shade of the trees on another hot day in Malaysia
• The Tour leader Anthony Charteau (yellow) has one of his main men on the Credit Agricole team, Benoit Poilvet, working hard for him during stage seven
• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) could be ready to pounce up Genting tomorrow; Voeckler is 4'39" behind the Tour leader
• The lead group grabbed the cow by the horns and held the peloton at bay to decide stage seven between them
• Ten became five… the lead group splits with fifteen kilometres remaining
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) takes the stage into Karak
• Sea Keong Loh (Discovery Channel Marco Polo) points to his team jersey as he crosses the line in seventh place on the stage
• Podium girls and interested onlookers at the finish in Karak
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) would have appreciated the cool air from one of his fans on the podium after a hot day in the saddle
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) won the 170.20km stage in a time of 3h47'42"
• Frenchman Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) reamins the leader of the Genting King of the Mountains Competition
• Italian Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) is looking up for another possible win with two flat stages remaining

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Polygon Sweetnice team staff getting ready in the feed zone.
• After some relentless attacking, Shinichi Fukushima gets a deserved stage win.
• Fukushima celebrates victory in Karak on stage 7.
• With temperatures hitting 40 degrees, Cyclingnews photographer Shane Goss takes a cold shower.

Stage 6 - February 7: Kuala Terengganu - Cukai, 141.5 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Benoit Poilvet and William Bonnet of the Credit Agricole team browse over the stage route prior to the start
• Tour leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) prepares for the start of stage seven in Kuala Terengganu
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) relaxes before the start of stage seven with a four minute lead over his nearest rival
• A lone spectator shelters from the sun as riders depart the start
• Malaysian students capture the Tour leader on their mobile phones
• Corn nuts are on the burner as the peloton speeds by
• The peloton speeds over a bridge during the 141km stage six from Kuala Terengganu to Cukai
• A photographer snaps an early break on the flat stage six of the Tour
• A young fan awaits the Le Tour de Langkawi
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) and Salvatore Commesso (Tinkoff Credit Systems) try to pinch a break in the final thirty kilometres
• The charge to the line and the finish to stage six in Cukai
• It's another stage win for Italy's Alberto Loddo of the Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) on the podium again in Cukai
• Hossein Askari (Giant Asia Racing Team) remains the best placed Asian rider overall on the Tour
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) is still the leader of the Genting King of the Mountains Championship
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) stills leads the Petronas Sprint Points Championship
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) from France is still the Tour leader with four stages remaining
• On the podium in Cukai (L-R): Hossein Askari (best placed Asian rider), Anthony Charteau (Tour leader), and Alberto Loddo (sprint points leader)
• That's four stage wins on the board for Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni), he needs one more to equal Australia's Graeme Brown's record of five from 2005

Stage 5 - February 6: Kota Baru - Kuala Terengganu, 167.0 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• It's almost the Chinese New Year and the International journalist 'Burger King Bandit' is ready to party!
• Tim Duggan (Team Slipstream) from the USA prepares to sign on beneath a Malaysian gateway
• The peloton roll out for stage five pass Chinese lanterns in Kota Bharu
• The peloton would cover 167kms on stage five from Kota Bharu to Kuala Terengganu
• Riders go on the attack at the front of the peloton
• An early break sneaks away from the peloton
• The six-man breakaway passes through another Petronas sprint point
• Julian Dean (Credit Agricole) powers the peloton in search of the leading six
• Benoit Poilvet (Credit Agricole) ,(centre), will be a crucial teammate for the Tour leader Anthony Charteau when the race hits Genting
• Hassan Suhardi (Malaysian National Team) orders another bidon from the team-car
• The leaders open up their gap over the chasing peloton
• A storm is brewing as the lead group goes speeding by
• Credit Agricole are working hard on the front to try and bring back the lead group
• The heavens finally opened up and Japanese photographer Hitoshi decided to brave the elements…See you later Hitoshi
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) wins his third stage of the Tour into Kuala Terengganu
• Stage winner Alberto Loddo (L) and team-manager Gianni Sabio are interviewed by Paul Sherwen after another victory on the Tour
• The jersey leaders on the podium (L-R): Alberto Loddo (sprint points leader), Anthony Charteau (Tour leader), and Hossein Askari (best Asian rider overall)

Images by John Pierce/PhotoSport International

• The peloton pedals past some palms.
• Race leader Anthony Charteau and Daryl Impey
• Stage 5 podium
• Anthony Charteau on the podium in yellow
• Stage 5 finish
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) wins over Maximilian Richeze.
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) takes the win.
• Adrea TV Hostess
• Podium hostess
• Alberto Loddo wins stage 5
• Alberto Loddo gives his victory salute.
• Alberto Loddo counts four wins.

Stage 4 - February 5: Gua Musang - Kota Bharu, 178.1 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Micael Isidoro and Gilberto Sampaio of the Vitoria ASC team just after the roll-out of Gua Musang for stage four
• The locals here in Malaysia are going absolutely ballistic over the Tour…Where are you Paul Sherwen?
• The Tour speeds by hundreds of School-children on the edge of the road near Gua Musang
• The peloton on a rise during the 178.20km stage four
• Team-cars and media-bikes follow the Tour over another rise during an undulating stage four
• A rider from the Hong Kong Pro Cycling team gets his coca-cola fix…A Coke carrying domestique
• Tour leader in yellow, Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) follows a wheel in the peloton
• Hands up those who need a drink on another hot day during the 2007 Le Tour de Langkawi
• It's those two again… Micael Isidoro and Gilberto Sampaio from the Vitoria ASC team in the peloton
• The peloton give chase to a leading group around one and a half minutes up the road
• Back in the peloton during stage four of the Tour
• The charge to the line and there is plenty happening
• Alberto Loddo checks to see his gap whilst chaos is happening behind him
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) takes out his second stage win of the Tour
• Wes Sulzberger (right) is consoled by South Australia.com teammate Shaun Higgerson after crashing in the sprint to the line
• Wes Sulzberger (South Australia.com) from Tasmania looks over his bike after biting the bitumen in the frantic charge to the finish-line
• A Francaise des Jeux crew member brings Lilian Jegou's bike back to the finish after Jegou cannoned into the barricades in the charge to the line
• Amir Zargari (Azad University Team) receives treatment after crashing in the hectic finish in Kota Bharu
• A battered and bloodied Amir Zargari (Azad University Team) recovers after his fall
• Sergey Kolesnikov (Unibet.com) would have been happy to feel the water on him after being in the lead break for most of the day
• Pierre Drancourt (Equipe Bouygues Telecom) makes the most of the water-spray that riders have been given after stages here under the Malaysian sun
• Stage winner Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) on the podium in Kota Bharu
• Hossein Askari (Giant Asia Racing Team) is the best Asian rider overall after stage four
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) in his Genting King of the Mountains Championship leader's jersey
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) from France remains in yellow after the fourth stage with a lead of four minutes
• Alberto is having a Loddo fun on the Tour… no, really!
• Pat McQuaid, the President of the UCI, fends off journalists' questions at the post-stage press conference

Images by John Pierce/Photo Sport International

• The Adrea TV Hostess
• School children cheer the passing peloton.
• The podium
• Malaysian children lined the course.
• Alberto Loddo winning
• Amir Zargari (Azad University Team) after his crash
• Alberto Loddo gives a winning salute.

Stage 3 - February 4: Kuala Kangsar - Cameron Highlands, 133.2 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Some local fans of Francesco Bellotti and the Credit Agricole riders
• Paul Griffin (Giant Asia Racing Team) encounters a cool cat approaching sign on in Kuala Kangsar
• VIP's are kept cool on a very hot day in Kuala Kangsar for the start of stage three
• Riders mke their way over a bridge in the opening kilometres of the 133.20km stage three
• The peloton head through a Petronas Sprint point on the way to the Cameron Highlands
• Mike Creed (Team Slipstream) of the USA cools down on a stinking hot day in Malaysia
• And boy doesn't that feel better!
• Photos and encouragement for the peloton as they pass through another Petronas Sprint point in search of the leaders
• Mike Creed (Team Slipstream), (L), begins to lose contact with the leaders on the lower slopes of the Cameron Highlands
• Loh Sea Keong (Discovery Channel Marco Polo) was caught in 'no man's land' trying to get across to the leaders
• Julian Dean (Credit Agricole) from New Zealand out of the saddle on the lower slopes of the Cameron Highland
• Laszlo Bodrogi (Credit Agricole) the Hungarian Champion feeling the heat beneath the Malaysian sun
• At the back of the race some eight and a half minutes behind the leaders
• Stijn Vandenbergh (Unibet.com) is stocked with supplies for his teammates
• Man I could do with one of those… is that cold?
• You beauty! I've been needing this, it's over thirty-five degrees out here
• Credit Agricole's Anthony Charteau dwarfs his race shadow as he skips clear of his breakaway mates
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) out of the saddle on the fifty kilometre climb up the Cameron Highlands
• It was all uphill and Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) had opened up a nice break
• Three chasing riders left over from the original break give chase to Charteau
• Wes Sulzberger (South Australia.com) looks like he is going to enjoy a drink in the hot conditions on day three of the Tour
• South Africa were on the front of the peloton and Coco-Cola was the drink trying to add life to their chances
• Leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) on the climb in the Cameron Highlands
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) gives it his all trying to chase down Credit Agricole's Anthony Charteau
• Everyone's a photographer
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) takes out a brilliant stage win up the Cameron Highlands
• Serguei Klimov (Tinkoff Credit Systems) from Russia has all eyes on him as he approaches the finish
• Mmm…now who do you think is the sexiest rider on the Le Tour de Langkawi?
• Stage winner Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) covered the 133.20kms in 3h40'51"
• Lets go shopping… Petronas Sprint Points leader Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) from Japan
• Yeah! That jersey is all mine and now I've got it, I'm going to try and hold onto it right to the end
• New Tour leader Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) has his yellow jersey zipped up for him on the podium

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Charteau takes stage three
• Charteau follows Fukashima
• Jose Serpa
• Jose Rujano in his new Unibet colours
• The start of the race in Kuala Kansar
• Charteau on the podium in yellow
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) enjoys his podium time

Stage 2 - February 3: Kangar - Kulim, 166.2 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Hey! Aren't you a little young to be taking me around on the back of the motor-bike?
• Shaun Higgerson (South Australia.com) awaits the start to stage two
• Jose Serpa (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) was feeling the heat even before racing began
• Excuse me sir that's Fabio Duarte of the Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team
• The fruits of Malaysia on show at Le Tour de Langkawi
• The peloton early into stage two
• Riders in the peloton were in for a long day in the saddle
• Sergey Kolesnikov (Unibet.com) and Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) were in the lead for over 100ks of the 166km stage
• Riders head towards a piece of Malaysian infrastructure
• The peloton in search of the leading duo
• A couple of French riders take time-out for a chat in the peloton
• It was so hot on stage two one of the riders kindly offered this writer one of his drinks
• The peloton make their way through one of the country towns in Malaysia
• Malaysians love their football just as much as their cycling…a Chelsea supporter on the Tour
• Yoann Le Boulanger pinches a bidon from Bouyges Telecom teammate Thomas Voeckler (1)
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) leads breakaway mate Sergey Kolesnikov (Unibet.com) out of some road-works
• Commissaires, police and media-bikes go off-road on the Tour
• Riders race through road-works during the second stage of the Tour
• Salvatore Commesso (Tinkoff Credit Systems) finds the going tough on the gravel
• The sprint is on for third-place at a Genting King of the Mountains points part of the stage
• South Australia.com riders Gene Bates, Wes Sulzberger and Nic Sanderson (far left) sandwich a Bouygues Telecom rider on day two
• The leading pair with only a one minute gap to the peloton with thirty kilometres remaining
• Some locals at the finish enjoying seeing the Tour visit their home-town
• Ceramiche Panaria Navigare are celebrating as Maximiliano Richeze charges to the line
• Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramiche Panaria Navigare) takes out stage two of the Tour
• Happy teammates and crew-member of Ceramiche Panaria Navigare make their way towards the podium
• Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramiche Panaria Navigare) steps onto the red carpet to collect his prize
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) in his blue jersey of the best placed Asian rider on the Tour
• Shinichi Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) is the leader of the Genting King of the Mountains competition by this much
• Wait! I am Maximiliano Richeze, the man with the Hollywood name and leader of the Petronas Sprint Points competition
• Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramiche Panaria Navigare) is the new leader of the 2007 Le Tour de Langkawi
• Jean-Francois Quenet (L) interperets media questions Argentinian Maximiliano Richeze and Shinichi Fukushima of Japan at the post-race press conference

Images by Greg Chang

• Cyclingnews photographer Shane Goss on the back of the moto

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• The crowds in Kulim await the arrival of the peloton
• Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramiche Panaria Navigare)
• Richeze soaks in the view from the podium
• Richeze in the leader's jersey
• Maximiliano Richeze and Asian leader Koji Fukushima on the podium with Pat McQuaid
• UCI president Pat McQuaid

Stage 1 - February 2: Langkawi Round Island, 81.4 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• The eagle has landed… and so has the 2007 Tour de Langkawi!
• Jonathon Clarke (South Australia.com) hasn't missed the boat and it's all aboard for the Tour de Langkawi
• Photographers line up to snap the start of the first stage of the 2007 Tour de Langkawi
• Hey! Where has everyone gone?
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) leads Herwin Jaya (Polygon Sweetnice) during their breakaway attempt on stage one
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) and Herwin Jaya (Polygon Sweetnice) on the hills around Langkawi island on day one of the Tour
• The peloton were closing in on the leading pair with twenty kilometres to go
• Riders charge to the line to finish stage one in Langkawi
• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) from Italy wins the first stage of the 2007 Tour de Langkawi
• Stage winner Alberto Loddo (centre) is congratulated by his Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni teammates after his victory
• Put your hands together for the Tour leader, Alberto Loddo of the Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni team
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) is happy to be a part of the Tour and tried in-vain to steal the show on day one
• Haidar Anuawar Ahmad (L) and Umardi Rosdi Md Nor of the Letua Cycling team pose for a photo prior to stage one
• 2006 Tour winner David George (South Africa) will have the locals watching him again in 2007
• Ian McLeod (Francaise des Jeux) from South Africa finished in 21st place on stage one
• The peloton relax beneath the trees on the roads of Langkawi
• A Unibet.com rider leads his teammates back in the peloton during stage one
• Anthony Charteau (Credit Agricole) goes on the attack back in the peloton
• Could somebody please tell me where the toilets are? I'm busting!
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) was the best placed Asian rider overall on stage one
• An interested spectator amongst the crowd at the finish to stage one in Langkawi
• Yahoo! I've just won the first stage of the 2007 Le Tour de Langkawi
• The crowd around the post-race press conference tent in Langkawi
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) shows his talent is not just restricted to riding a bike
• Koji Fukushima (Nippo-Meitan Hompo) with enthusiastic fans after stage one…nice shirt!

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Alberto Loddo (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) just gets it
• Alberto Loddo salutes the crowd

Teams Presentation - February 1: Langkawi Island

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• A pair of Credit Agricole riders enjoy the shade as they await their team call-up at the presentations in Langkawi.
• A Ceramiche Panaria Navigare rider makes his way to the presentation podium.
• The Credit Agricole team at the scenic Tour presentation location in Langkawi.
• Vitoria ASC from Portugal at the team's presentations.
• A great back-drop for the 2007 Tour de Langkawi team's presentations at the Awana Resort.
• David Duffield (right) introduces the team from Discovery Channel Marco Polo.
• The South Australia.com team fresh from the Tour Down Under and in picturesque Langkawi.
• Team Slipstream from the USA on the presentation podium.
• Polygon Sweetnice on the presentation podium.
• The Tour de Langkawi is hoping to be a fruitful one in 2007.
• The Malaysian National Team will be hoping to provide the locals with some thrills.
• Credit Agricole on the presentation podium.
• Ceramiche Panaria Navigare on the presentation podium.
• The team of Ag2r Prevoyance were successful at the recent Tour Down Under and will be looking for another Tour victory in Malaysia.
• Ag2r Prevoyance leave the podium.
• The South African team have provided the past two winners of the Tour de Langkawi.
• 2006 Tour winner David George leads his charges of the podium.
• Unibet.com on the presentation podium.
• The Iranian National Team on the presentation podium.
• Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni on the presentation podium.
• The Hong Kong Pro Cycling Team on the presentation podium.
• Equipe Bouygues Telecom on the presentation podium.
• Tinkoff Credit Systems from Italy on the presentation podium.
• The Tinkoff team have Classic specialist Salvatore Commesso in their ranks for 2007.
• Francaise des Jeux on the presentation podium.
• French team Francaise des Jeux leave the podium in Langkawi.
• Giant Asia Racing Team on the presentation podium.
• Skill Shimano will be using all their skill to get a stage win on the Tour.
• South Australia.com have travelled over plenty of water to reach Malaysia for the Tour.
• Nippo-Meitan Hompo from Japan at the 2007 Tour de Langkawi team's presentations.
• Letua Cycling Team from Malaysia at the team's presentations.
• The Korean National Team on the presentation podium.
• Malaysia MNCF Development Team are the local favourites for the Tour.