News for February 11

What's happening on Tour?

By Tommy Campbell

Race Recap

It has been a fabulous tour for world cycling and Malaysia - 151 riders from five continents started, 128 completed the course and they provided magnificent sport for the millions who lined the route and followed the race on TV.

Winner Hernan Dario Muņoz completed the 1,312 km (816.24 miles) in a total time of 30 hr 3 min 31 sec - and an impressive average speed of 43.70 km/h (27.17 mph).

For many, Hunter was the man of the race: winning three stages, coming second on two more and only finishing outside the first six on a single stage. He held the yellow jersey throughout the race until losing it to Muņoz on the penultimate day's lung-searing ascent to Genting Highlands after a magnificent defence and he was points race leader throughout. Phew!

But Hunter, who has joined the all-star Mapei-Quickstep team for this season is a realist: "I had a brilliant race and rose above myself on Genting," he said, "I really didn't believe I had any chance of staying with the climbers up there but I only lost 40 seconds."

"It helped me, though, that I come from South Africa, where the winters are mild. That meant my form was there while many of the Europeans are still relatively unfit after their winter off-season, and have been using the tour to ride themselves back into condition."

"I'm not really a man for the mountains so for the rest of the season I will be concentrating on single day races and maybe winning flat stages in stage events. I might be a contender overall in races like the Tour of Holland or Tour of Sweden but not in the major tours."

With the Colombian ambassador on hand to greet him as he crossed the line to complete his winning ride, Muņoz was a happy man indeed, a sea of tiny Colombian flags surrounding him amid the waving ocean of Malaysian pennants. "I think my win will mean a lot to the people back home," he said, "Colombia has a proud cycling tradition and everyone there follows the sport."

Muņoz confided that he certainly hopes to return to Le Tour de Langkawi next year: "I have a long-term contract with the Colombia-Selle Italia team and hopefully the organisers will ask us back. It's been a great race, extremely well organised and with wonderful support from the public all along the route."

South Africans show appreciation

Special presentation Photo ©: LTDL

In a surprise presentation from the officials of the South African Federation to various members of the race organisation for the work they did to make the event memorable. One recipient was Pat McQuaid, race director of the Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi who last got medals in South Africa as long ago as 1975.

Doctors do a lot

The Royal Medical Corp of the Malaysian Armed Forces has been actively involved in the Le Tour de Langkawi since its inception in 1996.

Over the years, the challenges faced by the medical team have increased and became more demanding in view of the upgrading of the race from a 2.5 rating to its present slot on the international calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale.

For this year and similar to the past, the medical team were entrusted to provide medical cover to all the participating teams and personnel directly involved in the race. As per normal the team has performed at its very best to provide an efficient and professional service to all those involved.

Basically the team compromises of 14 personnel and 5 vehicles. One doctor travels immediately behind the main peloton; one in the race directors car; three paramedics in race ambulance no.1; three paramedics in race ambulance 2; and two paramedics in race ambulance 3.

In advance of the race at the HQ Hotel, three paramedics are on site at the stage end town. This team is always in advance for the entire event.

For this year the medical team have treated in excess of 400, participating competitors and support plus race officials. Thankfully this figure is a marked reduction compared to last year's, when in excess of 624 were treated. This also included the Langkawi Classic and 12 stages. Furthermore, the reduction is evidenced in the statistics because there were fewer crashes this year.

The hope is that the medical team have managed to meet and surpass the expectations of all those involved. On a personal note I can vouch for their expertise and understanding, which made feel at ease in their professional company. Finally, if there were any shortcomings they apologise, but I doubt if there were any.

On behalf of the medical team "I wish all the teams and personnel wherever they race in the months ahead, the best of Malay luck and until we meet again, a safe journey to your respective destinations," said Major (Doctor), Mohamed Hatta Hj Manis on behalf of his team.