9th Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi - 2.2

Malaysia, February 6-15, 2004

Photos

Stage 10 - February 15: Kuala Lumpur Criterium - Dataran Merdeka, 80.4 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Colombia Selle-Italia were in good spirits before proceedings got under way.
• Fredy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) on his way to the start line.
• Sean Sullivan (Team Barloworld) was involved in the three-man early break.
• Fredy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) keeping a close eye on things.
• Ruber Marin (Colombia Selle-Italia) and team-mate Marlon Perez take a corner.
• The peloton were watched by a large and vocal crowd today.
• Japanese champion Shinichi Fukushima rode aggressively throughout the whole tour, with today being no exception.
• Fredy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) looking good in yellow.
• As the race neared the finish, more teams took their turn to chase down the breakaway.
• Alessandro Cortinovis (Lampre) leading the two-man breakaway, later joined by Eric Wolhberg and Shinichi Fukishima.
• A patriotic fan.
• David McCann (Ireland) had a go in the later part of the race, but without success.
• Team Barloworld had abysmal luck in the last lap, with David George puncturing.
• The pressure being applied at the start of the final lap.
• The local press prepare for the final sprint.
• Ruben Bongiorno (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) went out with 150 to go...
• ... and held strong for comfortable win, repeating his success on the same stage last year.
• Russell Van Hout (Colombia Selle-Italia) seemed relieved that it was all over as he crosses the finish line.
• Fredy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) and Gianni Savio are overjoyed with their success.
• Ruben Bongiorno (Cermiche Panaria-Margres) on the podium.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran) takes out the best Asian rider classification for a second year in succession.
• Ruber Marin (Colombia Selle-Italia) took out the mountains competition.
• Gordon Fraser (Health Net Pro) won the points competition.
• Iran salutes the crowd as the best Asian team.
• Team Barloworld was the most successful team of all the teams.
• Fredy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) stoked with his win.
• All the jersey winners take to the stage.

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Marco Pantani's passing is felt everywhere
• Team Barloworld pose for a team shot
• Ruben Bongiorno is relaxed before the start
• Gord Fraser is all smiles after clinching the points jersey
• Swedish bike fans enjoy the racing
• Eric Wohlberg steals a glance back to the chasing peloton

Stage 9 - February 14: Kuala Lumpur - Genting Highlands, 131.6 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Menara Telekom, where today's stage began.
• The Japanese boys looking anxious before the tour's hardest stage.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) signs on for the day.
• Ruber Marin (Colombia Selle-Italia) leads his team-mate Freddy Gonzalez up Genting.
• Ruber Marin (Colombia Selle-Italia) danced a tune that only little Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) could follow.
• Next up was Dave Bruylandts (Chocolade Jacques) and Ryan Cox (Team Barloworld).
• David George and Tiaan Kannemeyer (Barloworld) finished fifth and sixth repectively to cap off a great day for Barloworld.
• Roland Green (Canada) finished 1'36 down, and now finds himself in the top 10 overall.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran) leads Nicholas White (South Africa) with 1.5 kilometres to go.
• Early breakaway Michele Gobbi (De-Nardi) came in tenth.
• Huberlino Mesa (Colombia Selle-Italia) fought back bravely to finish 11th on the stage.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) cracked up Genting and lost his yellow jersey today.
• Jurgen Van De Walle (Chocolade Jacques) finished 21st.
• David McCann (Ireland) was the first Irish rider to finish in 19th place.
• Antonio Rizzi (De-Nardi) came in exactly four minutes down on Ruber Marin.
• Sergio Barbero (Lampre) on his way up Genting.
• Ben Day (Palmans-Collstrop) was the first Aussie up the hill in 29th place.
• John Lieswyn (Health Net Pro) worked hard, but now finds himself in 30th place.
• Luis F. Laverde Jimenez (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave).
• Guozhang Wang (China) finished over nine minutes down.
• Moises Duenas Nevado (Relax Bodysol).
• Jianshi Luo (China) can see the light with just one kilometre to go.
• Matteo Carrara (Lampre) could still manage a smile.
• Ronald Gorantes (Pagcor-Casino Filipino) pulled a mean face up Genting.
• Eric Wohlberg (Canada) showed plenty of determination today.
• Matnur Matnur (Wismilak).
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) is quickly becoming known for his bike handling skills.
• Russell Van-Hout (Colombia Selle-Italia) worked hard for his team early on, but had a tough time up Genting.
• The finish area.
• To say Greg Henderson (Health Net Pro) had a hard day would be an understatement.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran) grows in confidence after each visit to Langkawi.
• New race leader Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) at the press conference.
• What goes up must come down
• With Genting being so high, it's not hard to feel a little vertigo.

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Chocolade-Jacques bikes ready for action
• South African boys relax before the start
• Graeme Brown is overshadowed by few things - this is one
• Graeme Brown's new World Champion shoes
• Panaria's Fortunato Baliani has his wounds checked
• Colombia Selle-Italia's Ruber Marin poses beneath the Telekom Malaysia tower
• Ruber Marin and Freddy Gonzalez shoulder to shoulder within sight of the finish
• Dave Bruylandts (leading) and Ryan Cox fight their own battle
• Barloworld's David George and Tiaan Kannemeyer in action on Genting
• Roland Green battles up Genting alone
• Iran's Ghader Mizbani heads for a top ten finish on Genting
• Colombia Selle Italia's Huberlino Mesa out of the saddle on Genting
• Marlon Perez has already sacrificed yellow with just over a kilometre to go
• Palman Collstrop's Jeremy Hunt on Genting
• Graeme Brown and Luciano Pagliarini find themselves amongst the backmarkers on Genting
• Gord Fraser bears evidence of a crash at the beginning of the stage
• The view from the HealthNet team car
• Marlon Perez may have lost yellow but not his sense of humour

Stage 8 - February 13: Port Dickson - Shah Alam, 96.4 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Exotic dancing forms part of the daily pre-race entertainment.
• Along with exotic cars as part of the cavalcade.
• Ben Day (Mr Bookmaker-Palmans-Collstrop) straightens things out before the start in Port Dickson.
• Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) relaxes on the startline.
• The finish line was reminiscent of the Roman era.
• Enrico Degano (Barloworld, R) and Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) give it all they've got, with Degano looking the likely winner...
• ... but its Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) who gets it by a whisker.
• With another day over, riders head back towards their team cars parked by the roadside.
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) pops a wheelie for the fans.
• The smiling assassin - Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre).
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) enjoys the moment with the Brazilian flag draped over him.
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) proudly flies his national flag in Shah Alam.
• Sprints leader Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis) has become an almost permanent fixture on the podium.
• Malaysian beauty.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) won't be looking so fresh after tomorrow's stage to Genting Highlands.
• Race leader Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) salutes the crowd.
• An eclectic mix of winners - (from L to R) Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia), Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) and Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis).

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Colombia Selle-Italia's Ruber Marin looks relaxed ahead of the stage
• A Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave rider fuels up for the stage
• Riders from Relax Bodysol take shelter from the Malaysian sun
• Russel Van Hout (Selle Italia) before the stage start
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Trentini) poses for Cyclingnews
• The UCI might have something to say about Ryan Cox's choice of bike
• Roland Green is treated by Canadian team soigneuse Sophie
• Marlon Perez (Selle Italia) in relaxed mode before the start
• Gord Fraser's body language speaks volumes about his frustration at missing out on a stage win
• Luciano Pagliarini with his stage winner's medal
• Luciano Pagliarini shows the Brazilain flag on the podium
• Race leader Marlon Perez gives a thumbs up to another day in yellow

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Luciano Pagliarini pops a wheelie for the fans.
• Huberlino Mesa (Colombia-Selle Italia) leads the bunch
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) cools off
• Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) takes a drink
• Schoolchildren watch the race fly by
• Colombia Selle Italia leads the bunch
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) in action
• Pagliarini (L) beats Degano on the line

Stage 7 - February 12: Pontian - Melaka, 166.7 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) gets his photo taken while taking a shot of his own.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) mellow in yellow.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) waits for his turn during the pre-race presentation.
• A typically large crowd heads towards the start line in Pontian.
• The Malaysian flag in all its glory.
• Horsing around.
• The Barloworld boys enjoy a brief respite from the sun before today's 166.7 kilometre stage to Melaka.
• Ceramiche Panaria-Margres seaside - (L to R) Fabio Gilioli, Graeme Brown and Filippo Perfetto.
• Could this be Graeme Brown's new vocation?
• Spectators appeared from everywhere along the route to Melaka.
• The peloton cruise through Batu Pahat just before the feed station.
• Looking down on the action.
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre, L) just edges out points leader Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis, R) to take his fifth professional career victory.
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) begins his well-known one-handed victory salute.
• Yeah baby!
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) punches the air with delight.
• Pagliarini by the podium, taking it easy while the other jersey winners are presented to the crowd.
• Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis), increased his lead in the points competition today, also placing well in the intermediate sprint bonifications.
• Best Asian rider still rests with Iran's Ghader Mizbani.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) has become a popular leader on the tour.
• Today's podium winners.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) and Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) give each other a helping hand.

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Iran's Tanha Saeidi reveals evidence of a painful encounter with tarmac
• Gord Fraser (Health Net) discusses the finer points of sprinting
• Marlon Perez (Colombia-Selle Italia) en route to signing on
• Customers watch the race from the comfort of a café
• Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre) wins at last
• Luciano Pagliarini celebrates victory
• Luciano Pagliarini gives Cyclingnews a big thumbs up

Stage 6 - February 11: Muar - Johor Bahru, 175.2 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• With today being a stage for the sprinters, there were plenty of people blowing their own trumpet at the start in Muar this morning.
• Is Cyclingnews diarist Trent Wilson (Colombia Selle-Italia) trying to give a few hints to tell the ladies out there?
• One constant is the mass of happy Malaysian schoolchildren.
• Graeme Brown (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) was looking for a change in fortune today, but as it turned out, his day is yet to come.
• The early break of 14 riders went away shortly before the first sprint in Parit Sulong, with the peloton close behind.
• The peloton being driven by teams from riders high on GC, notably Colombia Selle-Italia and Relax Bodysol.
• At km 45, the early break of 14 was reduced to 11 riders.
• To the delight of spectators, the bunch gallop in Johor Bahru was a magnificent one, with Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave, M) coming through for the win, outsprinting Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre, R) and Ruben Bongiorno (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres, L).
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) clocked up his first win of 2004 in fine style, and had plenty of time to celebrate.
• You're coming with me. Race Controller Alan Rushton leads Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) to the podium, although Rushton's face suggests otherwise.
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) is looking to continue his good form right through to the Giro d'Italia.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran) has a virtual stranglehold on the best Asian rider classification.
• Mountains jersey Ruber Marin (Colombia Selle-Italia) found the going tough today, but he and the Colombia boys came through with flying colours.
• Points leader Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis) desperately wanted the win, however his hesitation in the finale cost him the stage.
• Overall leader Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) knows his biggest challenge lies ahead, exactly three days from now up the Genting Highlands.
• The leaders of the various classifications salute the crowd in Johor Bahru.
• A serious-looking Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) will call on the power of his golden fleece up Genting.

Images by Shane Stokes/www.irishcycling.com

• Dancers entertain the crowds before the start
• A face with character!
• The South African team discuss tactics before the start
• Points leader Gordon Fraser looks forward to a likely sprint finish at the end of this flat stage
• Graeme Brown is one of Fraser's most likely rivals should it come down to a gallop
• Paul Griffin (Hibernian Team Ireland) signs on
• Paul Griffin gets a picture taken with some fans
• A Malaysian band performs on the steps of a particularly fine building
• An interesting costume comprising a lion mask and huge peacock's feathers
• The Mavic neutral service crew hope that a quiet day is in store
• TV commentator and race photographer Christy Anderson does her Che Guevara impression. She's married to former top Aussie pro Phil Anderson
• The bunch gets an enthusiastic welcome, as is customary with the passionate Malaysians
• The bunch, however, chases hard to try to set up the first proper sprint finish of the race
• Not nuns, but muslim schoolchildren. Malaysia is a varied mix of religions and races
• The breakaway presses on but their lead is starting to come down
• A furious chase from behind sets the scene for a bunch gallop

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Race leader Marlon Perez rides in the pack
• An arial shot of the sprint
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) wins the stage
• Ruben Bongiorno (Panaria, L) is just beaten by Luciano Pagliarini (Lampre, R) for second
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) actually has a hair out of place
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) sweating, but ready to take the accolades

Stage 5 - February 10: Melaka - Melaka Individual Time Trial, 18 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Russell Van Hout (Colombia Selle-Italia) set the early best time of the day, which stood all the way until stage winner Eric Wohlberg posted a time 35 seconds faster.
• Daryl Impey (South Africa) just scraped into the top 10 with a time of 22'34.63".
• New Zealand's Greg Henderson had the second best time of 22'26.30" until Wohlberg came through flying.
• Stage 3 winner Brett Lancaster didn't have the legs today, finishing 3'07.52" off the pace.
• Ben Day (Mr Bookmaker-Palmans-Collstrop) was one of the favourites going into the race, but only managed ninth spot.
• Russell Van Hout (Colombia Selle-Italia) gave it plenty on the out-and-back course around the streets of Melaka.
• Makoto Iijima (Japan) had a solid day to post the 26th best time.
• Sprints leader Gordon Fraser (Health Net) chose to save his legs today for the flat stages ahead.
• Stage 4 winner Sean Sullivan (Barloworld) was still feeling the pinch after yesterday's effort, finishing in 76th place, 2'46.27" behind Wohlberg.
• Cyclingnews diarist John Lieswyn had a great ride to finish third on today's stage.
• Pre-race favourite Eric Wohlberg (Canada) used anything and everything at his disposal for maximum aerodynamics.
• Roland Green (Canada) had a solid ride to finish 56.98" seconds off team-mate Wohlberg, and now lies 15th overall.
• Eventual winner Eric Wohlberg is a specialist against the clock, and today under difficult conditions, he used all the experience he has to win.
• David George (Barloworld) was most likely hoping to do better than his sixth-best time of 22'25.79", and is now in eighth place overall.
• George's team-mate Tiaan Kannemeyer (Barloworld) was also expected to have done better, but is still within striking distance of race leader Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia).
• Hector Guerra Garcia (Relax Bodysol) was certainly the surprise packet of the day, and with fourth-fastest time, Guerra Garcia is now second overall.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) made a defiant comeback today to return to the race lead in the Tour de Langkawi.
• Second overall at the start of the day, Ryan Cox (Barloworld) is probably slightly disappointed with his time of 22'38.65", which has seen him slip to fourth overall.
• Overnight leader Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) rode well for a featherweight climber, but not well enough to retain the race lead.
• David George (Barloworld) powers home for the sixth-best time of the day, 47.05" seconds behind Wohlberg.
• Tiaan Kannemeyer (Barloworld) was not in top gear today, and will need to ride out of his skin on Stage 9 to have a shot at victory.
• Marlon's da man - Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) gave it his all to finish second on today's stage, enabling him to move back into the race lead.
• Not a fan of the time trial - At 48 kilograms, Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) is definitely not a fan of a dead-flat time trial, but still rode courageously today.

Stage 4 - February 9: Hulu Kelang - Tampin, 147.8 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Cyclingnews journo Anthony Tan gets up close and personal with a rare falcon at Zoo Negara at the start of today's stage.
• Ruben Bongiorno (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) looks like he's got his hands full.
• Ssssss! KOM leader Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) gives a snake some of his own venom.
• Sean Sullivan (Barloworld) rubs the top of an orangutan's head for good luck, which just happened to work in his favour today.
• Ruber Marin (Colombia Selle-Italia) enjoying the morning's festivities at Zoo Nagara.
• Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis) has plenty of reason to smile, already well ahead in the points classification.
• Overnight leader Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) and his team have plenty to think about over the forthcoming days.
• The peloton spread out across the road in the neutral zone as they leave the town of Hulu Kelang.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran), leader of the Asian rider classification, keeps a close eye on events up the road.
• With another animated start to the stage, the peloton was soon riding at full speed, with the first hour's racing completed at 46 km/h.
• The constant attacking made the going tough for riders at the back of the bunch.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) and his team-mates from Colombia Selle-Italia were unexpectedly treated to a difficult day in the saddle.
• The initial break of three riders - (L to R) Devis Miorin (De Nardi), Ryan Cox (Team Barloworld) and Alessandro Cortinovis (Lampre).
• With danger man Ryan Cox (Barloworld) returning to the peloton, his team-mate Sean Sullivan (L) made for a handy replacement.
• Cory Lange (Canada) played out his duties as water carrier on the road to Tampin.
• The three leaders received a time check of 1'15 to the peloton; shortly afterwards, Alessandro Cortinovis (Lampre) was unable to hold the pace set by Sullivan and Moirin.
• Eventual winner Sean Sullivan (Barloworld) used a combination of strength and cunning to claim victory today.
• The peloton cruise by, oblivious to the coconut palms lining the roadside.
• Sensing danger, Colombia Selle-Italia motioned their troops to the front of the peloton
• Devis Miorin (De Nardi) leads Sean Sullivan (Barloworld) into the streets of Tampin.
• After coming to almost a standstill, Moirin (L) and Sullivan (R) duke it out in the final 200 metres.
• And it's Sean Sullivan who easily outsprints Moirin, 1'03 ahead of third-placed Mike Sayers (Health Net).
• Sean Sullivan's smile was almost as cheeky as his sprint.
• The leaders of the various classifications salute the crowd.

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Freddy Gonzalez and teammat get to grips with a slippery customer
• Luciano Pagliarini can't be nervous of a "little" snake?
• Gord Fraser is nuzzled by a new "girlfriend"
• South African Champ David George gets some from a local
• Devis Miorin leads eventual stage winner Sean Sullivan up the second climb of the day
• The peloton in full flight chasing the breakaway pair
• Gordon Fraser is the target of journalists' questions

Stage 3 - February 8: Tapah - Raub, 171.2 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Rolling around the start town of Tapah.
• Some local Malay dancers, this time sans Trent Wilson (Colombia Selle-Italia) and his director Gianni Savio.
• And this is how he feels at the start - Susanto Tonton (Wismilak) takes in plenty of fluids before the second-longest stage of the TMLTdL.
• Roland Green (Canada) keeps his cool with an innovative ice-pack placed around his neck.
• Finally, after an animated start, a break goes for good with Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) and Scott Guyton (Wismilak).
• The 131-strong peloton make their way to Raub, at this stage unconcerned by the break containing Lancaster and Guyton.
• Lancaster larger than life - Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) on the big screen as he time trials his way to his first pro win.
• Eurosport's cycling commentator David Duffield keeps the crowd in Raub entertained, or at least partially amused.
• Thank you fans - and there are plenty of them, too.
• Can't believe it - Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) struggles to cope with what he has just achieved.
• Dehydrated but delighted, Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) is interviewed by Cycling Australia's Gennie Sheer straight after the finish.
• Fortunato Baliani (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) wasn't quite so fortunate on today's stage, coming down along with a number of others on the descent following Frasers Gap.
• Ughhh, can't breathe - Ben Day (Mr Bookmaker-Palmans-Collstrop) struggled with the heat today, finishing in 61st place, 3'58 down on Brett Lancaster.
• Not a good image for the next Coke TV commercial - South Africans Jaco Odenaal and Nicholas White find little respite in an icy-cold can of Coke.
• A disappointed Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) may have gone down, but he's certainly not out of the race.
• Courage under fire - Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) showed true Aussie grit out on the road to Raub today.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran) salutes the crowd as best Asian rider.
• Despite his high-speed crash, Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) still keeps his lead in the mountains classification.
• New leader on points, Gordon Fraser (Health Net/Maxxis) walks to the podium, ready to receive his new jersey.
• Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) stands tall (or as tall as the petite Colombian can go) as the new race leader.
• The leaders of the various classifications salute the crowd.
• Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) speaks to Cyclingnews after his win in Raub today.
• A winning smile - Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) shows off his pearly whites.
• Ghader Mizbani (Iran) a humble leader of the Asian rider competition.

Images by Shane Stokes/www.irishcycling.com

• Traditional dancers entertained the crowds at the start
• Young muslim spectators were among the thousands at the sign-on area
• Hibernian Team Ireland rider Philip Deignan before the drop of the flag
• The sparkling bikes of the Italian Lampre team, lined up and ready for action
• Sprinter Ivan Quaranta is a friendly guy, here lining up with some young spectators
• Thousands of spectators turned out
• Some attractive faces in the crowd!
• There was a mixture of many different religions and cultures at the finish
• The big screen kept the audience entertained while they waited for the arrival of the race.
• Irish rider Philip Deignan is only 20 but he rode strongly again today, taking sixth on the stage and moving up to 12th overall
• Health Net Pro Gordon Fraser was second, 33 seconds down
• Former British pro Tim Harris is acting as rider liason, and is here translating the answers of new yellow jersey Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle Italia) for the international press
• Fellow Aussie Graeme Brown was keen to get a momento of the occasion
• Stage 3 winner Brett Lancaster was delighted with his excellent victory

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Brett Lancaster braves the wet on Fraser's Hill en route to victory
• Brett Lancaster describes how he got to where he is today
• Gord Fraser reflects on his near miss with a win
• Gord Fraser's bike attracts some admirers

Stage 2 - February 7: Ipoh - Tanah Rata, 151.6 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Muslim schoolchildren were in droves at the finish of the second stage in Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands.
• Scott Guyton (Wismilak) looks like he's had a bad episode of curry the night before.
• Roland Green (Canada) with plenty on his mind before today's decisive stage in the Cameron Highlands.
• The pressure's off Canadian champion Dominique Perras today, and it shows.
• Luciano Pagliariani (Lampre) will be looking to replicate his success at last year's TMLTdL, but he'll have to wait until tomorrow.
• Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia), along with team-mate Marlon Perez, will fill Jose Rujano's shoes as dual team leaders.
• Trent Wilson (Colombia Selle-Italia) and team director Gianni Savio get friendly with the locals.
• Riders take time to enjoy the festivities before the start of today's stage.
• The lead group of eight riders broke away around the 39 kilometre mark, with Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) perfectly placed in the break.
• The main peloton were all together before the start of the climb in Tapah.
• Eventual winner Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) hunched over his bike, deep in concentration.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) made his race-winning move with roughly 15 kilometres to go, and never looked back.
• Unbeknown to Perez, team-mate Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) was coming up strongly around one minute behind.
• The third group on the road being driven by Hector Guerra Garcia (Relax Bodysol).
• Luis F. Laverde Jimenez (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) shows the strain after almost 60 kilometres of climbing.
• Last year's KOM winner, Roland Green (Canada), finished 2'16 behind Perez.
• The steep, windy road to Tanah Rata captures much of the beauty that makes Malaysia so attractive.
• Go, baby, go! OK, maybe they didn't say it quite like that...
• Young and old are finding this year's editon of the TMLTdL fascinating.
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) salutes the crowd as the new King of the Mountains.
• Freddy Gonzalez (Colombia Selle-Italia) wears the blue jersey as leader of the points classification. (Gonzalez's team-mate Marlon Perez is in fact the leader in this competition, but the jersey was awarded to second-placed rider Gonzalez on account of his overall lead in the ra
• Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) wears the yellow jersey as overall leader of the race.
• The eyes say it all - Despite being eight days away from the finish, Marlon Perez (Colombia Selle-Italia) has victory in sight.

Images by Mark Sharon/msharonuk@hotmail.com

• Colombia Selle Italia's Directeur Sportif Gianni Savio leads stage winner-to-be Marlon Perez to the signing on
• Colombia Selle Italia's Directeur Sportif Gianni Savio poses woith some local "wildlife"
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo) posing before the stage start
• Britain's Jeremy Hunt rests in the team car before the stage start
• Luciano Pagliarini keeps the youngest fans happy before the start of the stage
• The stage's leading break in action
• Marlon Perez (Colombia-Selle Italia) inside the final kilometre
• Freddy Gonzalez powers to second place on the stage
• Marlon Perez at the Post-Race Press Conference
• New leader of the Asian Competition Iran's Ghader Mizbani, on the podium

Images by Shane Stokes/www.irishcycling.com

• The yellow Mavic neutral service car a regular sight at events such as the Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi
• Malaysia is home to some beautiful architecture
• Italian sprint specialist Ivan Quaranta arrives at the start area. He'll wake up soon
• The Iranian team in the start village.

Images by Shane Stokes/www.irishcycling.com

• The South African team
• The De Nardi squad
• Aussies Graeme Brown and Trent Wilson catch up on their news
• Ceramiche rider Alejandro Alberto Borrajo
• O'Loughlin, Tim Barry and a local fan
• The race leader's jerseys on the pre-race podium
• More stunning architecture is dotted around the countryside
• The Canadian team's soigneuse
• The eight-man breakaway group speed towards the climb
• Wismilak rider Matnur Matnur lost contact with the break on the climb
• Big groups of children are amongst the huge crowds turning out for this superb event
• Colombia Selle Italia's Marlon Perez speeds towards the final climb
• Perez is chased by Jurgen Van De Walle and Hector Guerra Garcia
• A constantly-depleting main group in hot pursuit
• On the final climb riders began to slip backwards through the cars, their energy spent...
• Hibernian Team Ireland's Paul Griffin was riding strongly but lost his place with a mechanical problem
• The Relax Bodysol team car hit a wall and turned over, nearly blocking the road. Passing riders saw the bike underneath and feared the worst, but this one had been on the roof. The driver was shaken, not stirred, with his pride the only casualty
• Hibernian Team Ireland's David McCann and 20 year old Philip Deignan rode well, finishing 22nd and 19th respectively
• Paul Griffin cleans up after the stage
• The new yellow jersey Ruber Marin his team mate Freddy Gonzalez and team manager Gianni Savio

Stage 1 - February 6: Bayan Baru, Pulau Pinang - Taiping, 112 km

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• Graeme Brown (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) rides to the startline after signing on for the day.
• Jeremy Hunt (Collstrop-Palmans) hides behind his dark-tinted Oakleys.
• Alessandro Cortinovis (Lampre) signs autographs at the start in Penang.
• Abd Ghani Mohd Najmee (Malaysia) looks for an easier mode of transport.
• Russell Van Hout (Colombia Selle-Italia) talks tactics with British rider Jeremy Hunt (Collstrop-Palmans, R).
• An abundance of children were present at the start in Penang, eager to obtain autographs from their favourite riders.
• The peloton roll along en masse in the neutral zone.
• On a typically humid day in Malaysia, Brett Lancaster (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) makes sure to quench his thirst.
• The unmistakeably bright orange jerseys of Ceramiche Panaria-Margres cruise in the peloton on the Penang Bridge.
• Riders take time to admire the architecture of the Penang Bridge before the official race start.
• Bums 'r' us. This one's for the ladies.
• "Piano" in the peloton.
• With the roads closed to all but the riders and official vehicles, traffic rules were non-existent for the 168-strong peloton.
• The early break of two riders was initiated by Chinese rider Yongbiao Zhu, with eventual yellow jersey Merculio Ramos (Pagcor-Casino Filipino) joining him soon afterwards.
• Cyclingnews diarist Trent Wilson (Colombia Selle-Italia) looks behind to his team car for a drink.
• Abd Ghani Mohd Najmee (Malaysia) squeezes the life out of wattle bottle.
• Musa Musairi (Malaysia) came across to the chasing group of two riders on his own, shortly before the first intermediate sprint of the day.
• Giulini Sulpizi (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave) leads a concerted chase in an effort to close down the two-man break of Yongbiao Zhu (China) and Merculio Ramos (Pagcor-Casino Filipino).
• Locals were out in force, with many using their tools of the trade to access the best vantage points.
• With the breakaway within striking distance, action at the head of the peloton gained intensity.
• The main bunch pass over a river on the way to Taiping.
• Sergio Barbero (Lampre) gets a last-minute drink.
• After the bungle by the police, who mistakenly let cars onto the parcours a lap too early, the deflated peloton ride into Taiping en masse.
• "No go" - Graeme Brown (Ceramiche Panaria-Margres) gives a very strong 'no go' signal to the race officials.
• "Hey, don't blame me!" It wasn't a good start for Race Controller Alan Rushton as he attempts to explain the debacle to Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave sprinter Ivan Quaranta.
• Despite Stage 1 being neutralised and points and bonuses withdrawn, Merculio Ramos (Pagcor-Casino Filipino) earns the prilevege of wearing the first leader's jersey of the TMLDTdL after winning two out of the three intermediate sprints.

Images by Shane Stokes/www.irishcycling.com

• The race jersey leaders at the media breifing
• The Ceramiche Panaria team
• The Relax Bodysol team
• Pole balancing before the start
• Charly Wegelius (De-Nardi)
• Ruber Marin (Colombia-Selle Italia) and locals
• Locals in traditional costume
• Italian champion rider Francesco Moser
• Phil Liggett and journalist Jeff Quenet
• Merculio Ramos (Pagcor) wins second sprint
• The leaders
• A local bike shop in Taipan
• The main bunch going onto the final lap of circuit
• The bunch rides to the neutralised finish
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo) speaks to race controller Alan Rushton
• Hibernian Team Ireland after stage 1
• Eugene Moriarty
• You can find your way to the hotel using Eugene Moriarty's "road map" legs
• Pat McQuaid speaks to the police after the mess up
• Yellow jersey Ramos and Reynante
• Yellow jersey Ramos
• Points jersey holder Zhu
• Asian rider leader Reynante

February 5: Team Presentation

Images by Mark Gunter/Cyclingnews/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

• First off is Colombia Selle Italia, boasting climbers Freddy Gonzalez, Ruber Alveiro Marin and Aussie duo Russell Van Hout and Trent Wilson.
• Lampre is presented to the media, including triple stage winner from last year, Luciano Pagliarini.
• De-Nardi comes to the stage. Watch out for Great Britain's Charly Wegelius.
• The Canadian team come to Langkawi confident with last year's KOM winner Roland Green.
• Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave will be looking for stage wins with fastman Ivan Quaranta.
• The team from Japan.
• The septet from Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf.
• The team from Iran.
• The contingent from Relax Bodysol come to Malaysia in all shapes and sizes.
• With so much green in their team kit, this can only be the boys from Ireland.
• Barloworld will be looking to do well with David George as their man for the overall.
• Keeping the Asian influence real is the Chinese national team.
• Team Health Net presented by Maxxis have Scott Moninger and Danny Pate as men who could challenge for the overall.
• The Indonesian national team.
• The South African national team.
• For Dutch squad Bert Story-Piels, this year's TMLTdL marks their first time to Malaysia.
• The team from Philippines, Pagcor-Casino.
• Mr.Bookmaker.com-Palmans-Collstrop boast a strong line-up of rouleurs.
• Panaria-Margres have once again brought speedster Graeme Brown to Langkawi.
• The Malaysian national team.