11th Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi - 2.HC

Malaysia, February 3-12, 2006

Photography

Stage 10 - Sunday, February 12: KL Criterium , 60km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Great Britain team manager Stuart McDonald lays down the law to his charges prior to the final stage in Kuala Lumpur.
The team from South Africa with the tour leader and eventual winner David George.
Ryan Cox (South Africa) won this race last year but is planning on peaking later in the season in 2006. He finished in 16th place this year, 10'18 behind team-mate David George.
Corey Sweet (Wiesenhof Akud) from Australia, will return to Europe after the tour and then onto South Africa for more racing.
The team from Recycling.Co.Uk finished fourth overall in the teams classification.
The team from Great Britain, a young outfit that should benefit enormously from racing at the Tour de Langkawi.
Frenchman Anthony Ravard (Bouygues Telecom) gets a police escort to the sign on in Kuala Lumpur.
A section of the huge crowd on the start line for the final stage of the tour.
American Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) had his own fan club for the final stage.
Kristian House (Recycling.Co.Uk) poses for a snap with media liaison officer Sharonjane Liau.
The peloton on the streets of Kuala Lumpur early into the final stage.
The peloton snake their way along the streets of Kuala Lumpur during the 60km criterium.
Englishman Rob Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk) gets a helping hand from the team mechanic in the early laps of the final stage.
Tour winner David George (South Africa, 4th from L) is tucked away safely in the peloton before the heavens opened up.
Riders exercise caution on slippery roads after torrential rain marred the final stage in Kuala Lumpur.
Spaniard Angel Vallejo (Relax-Gam) slipped away from the peloton on the seventh lap.
The peloton battled torrential rain until first the riders and later race organisers put an end to the final stage .
Angel Vallejo (Relax-Gam) was awarded the final stage even though the criterium was called off due to torrential rain.
The best Asian team went to the boys from Japan.
Hossein Askari (Giant-Asia) on the podium as the overall best Asian rider.
David George (South Africa) wears the final polka-dot jersey after winning the mountains competition.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud), winner of the sprints classification.
The final podium - (L-R) Hossein Askari (Giant-Asia, best Asian rider), David George (South Africa, overall and mountains winner) and Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud, sprints winner).

Stage 9 - Saturday, February 11: Melaka Individual Time Trial , 16.2km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Former rider David McKenzie (L) now pursuing a career in the media as a cycling commentator at the TM Tour de Langkawi.
American Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators Insurance) rode into fourth place on the stage in a time of 20'21.66.
Taiji Nishitani (Japan) finished in 28th place in a time of 21'23.55.
Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance) from the USA finished in 64th place in a time of 22'14.39.
Samuele Marzoli (LPR) from Italy has some unexpected company just after the start of his ride against the clock.
Italian Samuele Marzoli (LPR) in action on the penultimate stage of the 2006 Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi.
Takuma Beppu (Japan) doesn't have to worry about bike trouble with spares right behind him.
Italian Angelo Furlan (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) finished 51st in 22'02.16, 2'22.20 behind the winner Sergiy Matveyev of the Ukraine.
Mirko Allegrini (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) in action during the 16.20km time trial in Melaka for stage nine.
Burke Swindlehurst (Navigators Insurance) from the USA is well forward in the saddle as he gets the best out of himself against the clock.
Robert Retscke (Wiesenhof Akud) from Germany sports bandages applied to him after a nasty fall earlier in the tour.
Aziz Md Saiful Anuar (Equipe Asia) from Malaysia corners around the 16.20km flat circuit in Melaka.
Frenchman Laurent Mangel (AG2r Prevoyance) will go home a stage winner of the tour after winning the 178km stage six.
Koji Fukushima (Japan) finished in 33rd place in a time of 21'34.57.
Sebastian Hinault (Credit Agricole) from France took it a bit easier against the clock after winning in the wet on the previous stage.
The penultimate stage was a time trial in Melaka on a flat course over 16.20kms.
Christophe Riblon (AG2r Prevoyance) from France finished in 67th place in a time of 22'24.62.
Johan Verstrepen (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) rode into 38th place in a time of 21'43.21.
But officer, I'm running late for my own wedding!.
Russell Downing (Great Britain) with GB gloves to match rode into 30th place in a time of 21'27.70.
Gianni Riemslagh (Yawadoo Colba-Abm) in action in the 2006 Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi.
Spaniard Xavier Volpini Tondo (Relax-Gam) changes gears on the way to 31st place in the time trial .
Hari Fitrianto (Equipe Asia) from Indonesia covered the 16.20km course in 22'54.25.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud) has the sprint points competition all but parceled up with one stage remaining.
Riders await their chance to ride against the clock on the penultimate stage in Melaka.
Riders relax undercover before pitting themselves against the clock on another hot Malaysian day.
Aussie Gene Bates (LPR) finished in 47th place 2'13.97 behind the winner.
Frenchman Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) on a lonely ride against the clock.
Robin Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk) focuses on the ride against the clock. Sharman has ridden strongly on the tour to be currently in the top ten.
Tour leader David George (South Africa) is being watched by a local whilst warming up on the rollers.
Colombian Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) quite possibly has been the find of the tour and currently lies in sixth place overall after nine stages.
Melaka was at a standstill for the 2006 Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi.
The yellow jersey came home in 19th place, 1'17.46 behind the stage winner Sergiy Matveyev of the Ukraine.
Sergiy Matveyev (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) makes it three stage wins for his team on the tour.
Just one day remaining for South African David George before he can take home the chocolates.
Sergiy Matveyev (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) rode the 16.20km course in a time of 19'39.96 to take the penultimate stage of the tour.

Stage 8 - Friday, February 10: Yong Peng - Segamat , 72.7km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Triple one - the familiar number of British road champion Russell Downing, who will ride for the DFL/Cyclingnews team this season.
The lead cars in the 2006 TM Le Tour de Langkawi
The cavalcade heads towards the start line before another big crowd in Yong Peng
There was some horsing around on the startline for stage eight of the tour
Traditional Malaysian ceremonies awaited the peloton for the start of stage eight
The tour can't be too far away now, I've taken time off school for this!
Sebastian Hinault (Credit Agricole) takes out the eighth stage in wet conditions
Remnants of the peloton take the chequered flag in Segamat
Sebastian Hinault (Credit Agricole) is the second Frenchman to win a stage of this year's tour
Hossein Askari (Giant-Asia) retains his jersey as the leading Asian rider on the tour
South African Darren Lill wears the polka-dot king of the mountains jersey after eight stages by default
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof-Akud) from Germany still has the sprint jersey after eight stages
The stage eight podium - (L-R) Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof-Akud), Hossein Askari (Giant-Asia), David George (South Africa), Darren Lill (South Africa) and Sebastian Hinault (Credit Agricole)
Sebastian Hinault (Credit Agricole) from France, explains his victory at the post-stage press conference
Why wouldn't you want to be a winner in Malaysia?!

Stage 7 - Thursday, February 9: Muar - Kota Tinggi , 188.2km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Irishman Paul Griffin (Giant-Asia) prior to the 188.20km seventh stage from Muar to Kota Tinggi.
Italian Wladimir Belli (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) one of the most experienced riders on the tour.
A Wismilak rider peels of another banana before the start of stage seven.
Ahmad Lutfi Fauzan (Malaysia) packs his lunch ready for the longest stage of the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
The weather has been hot here in Malaysia and cold bidons have been a necessity for the thirsty peloton.
The team from Recycling.Co.Uk minus the injured Chris Newton are fourth overall on the team's general classification.
Managing director of the TM Tour de Langkawi Simon Donnellan (R) shares a joke with Recycling.Co.Uk team manager John Herety.
Members of AG2R Prevoyance (L) and Credit Agricole relax by the river adjacent to the start in Muar.
Riders from French teams AG2R Prevoyance (L) and Credit Agricole could be sitting on the banks of the River Seine in Paris, instead of being in Malaysia for the TM Tour de Langkawi.
Riders from the Spanish Relax-Gam team take it easy before the longest stage of the tour begins in Muar.
Gee guys, I hope that bike isn't one of your team bikes which are taking you around Malaysia?
The flags of Malaysia are always prominent during stages of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
The Tour de Langkawi has everyone spreading their wings and flying with the peloton as it goes rushing by!.
The leading group of nine riders opened up a gap of more than six minutes on the peloton.
Nothing was going to stop Elio Aggiano (LPR) from winning stage seven of the tour.
Yohann Gene (Bouygues Telecom) found a corner to wash his bike in after the heavens opened up on stage seven.
The leading group on the slippery roads near Kluang after a heavy downpur saturated the tour.
The leaders make their way towards Kota Tinggi as the crowd take shelter from the rain.
Elio Aggiano (LPR) gets a taste for a stage win on the TM Tour de Langkawi.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud team, L) brings home the bunch on stage seven.
Italian Elio Aggiano (LPR) on the podium after winning stage seven.
Hossien Askari (Giant-Asia) is the leading Asian rider on the general classification after stage seven.
The time has come for South African David George to take home the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
The stage seven podium (L-R) - Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud, partly obscured), Darren Lill (South Africa), Elio Aggiano (LPR), David George (South Africa) and Hossien Askari (Giant-Asia).
Stage winner Elio Aggiano (LPR) is helped to answers questions at the press conference by the tour interpreter.
You lucky, lucky man.

Stage 6 - Wednesday, February 8: Shah Alam - Tampin , 187.7km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

A traditional welcome to the TM Tour de Langkawi in Shah Alam for the start of stage six.
There are plenty of fans of the riders along the roads of Malaysia but this one keeps them cool from the scorching heat.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I love the Tour de Langkawi and so do you!
The peloton leave Shah Alam, bound for Tampin some 178.70 kilometres away.
Locals watch the tour go by on the outskirts of Shah Alam.
Rob Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk) holds his lucky chain in his mouth. Sharman is sixth overall on the tour after six stages.
Bouygues Telecom riders help each other out on the front of this group.
David McCann (Giant-Asia) goes it alone early into the 178.70 kilometres stage.
Many hands make light work... but maybe not for these two riders.
The locals are coming out to get a glimpse of the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
The chasing peloton on the KOM categorie 2 climb at Kuala Klawang.
David McCann (Giant-Asia) has another rider trying to bridge to him.
David McCann (Giant-Asia) descends on his own out in front of the race on stage six.
Chasing riders in pursuit of leader David McCann on a small rise during stage six.
Tour leader David George in second wheel behind South African team-mate and last year's winner Ryan Cox.
The peloton averaged 41.74 kms/hr under a burning Malaysian sun on stage six.
South African Darren Lill in the polka-dot jersey of the KOM leader..
Jose Galindo Elias (Relax-Gam) is wired up for communication back to his team car.
Massimo Iannetti (LPR)... Coke adds life, eh Massimo.
Gene Bates (LPR) of Australia out of the saddle and looking for a stage win on the tour.
Laurent Mangel (AG2R Prevoyance) is a picture of concentration in the lead group.
The peloton pass through Simpang Pertang during the 178.70 kilometres stage.
Hands up those who want to ride again in the TM Tour de Langkawi!.
The peloton pass locals waving Malaysian flags of encouragement to the tour.
The peloton winds its way along the roads of Malaysia.
The leaders pass through a sprint points section at Batu Kikir.
The peloton make their way through another township on stage six, around two and a half minutes behind the lead group.
Laurent Mangel (AG2R Prevoyance) from France takes out stage six into Tampin.
A Bouygues Telecom rider (R) picks up his bike after a crash in the home straight.
A Malaysian in traditional costume on the podium for the presentation ceremony.
Laurent Mangel (AG2R Prevoyance) salutes the crowd from the podium in Tampin.
Hossein Askari (Giant-Asia) is the best-placed Asian rider overall after six stages.
South African Darren Lill wears the KOM polka-dot jersey by default as the leader, team-mate David George, also wears the tour leader's yellow jersey.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof-Akud) still wears the sprint points leader's jersey after stage six.
South African David George salutes the crowd in Tampin.
David George (South Africa) awaits journalists questions at the press conference.
David George (South Africa) has 1'57 minutes advantage over his nearest rival with four stages remaining.

Stage 5 - Tuesday, February 7: Menara TM - Genting Highlands , 90km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

The break is already on the freeways near Kuala Lumpur.
A chasing pack in search of the leaders on the foothills of the Genting Highlands.
Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) is clear of the rest heading up the hors categorie climb to the Genting Highlands.
A chasing group reach three kilometres to go in search of Jose Serpa.
Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) is out of the saddle and on the way to another stage victory.
Riders in the chasing group approach two kilometres to go in pursuit of Jose Serpa.
Tour leader David George (South Africa) heading to the top of Genting Highlands and increasing his lead in the race.
Julio Alberto Perez (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) leads Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) towards the summit.
Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) has Raul Garcia (Relax-Gam) on his tail on the climb.
Raul Garcia (#83, Relax-Gam) and Christophe Le Mevel (#43, Credit Agricole) try to bridge a gap to riders ahead.
David McCann (Giant-Asia) finished 14th on the stage, 3'19 behind the winner.
Laurent Lefevre (Bouygues Telecom) leads Edward Clancy (Great Britian) towards the summit.
Ryan Cox (South Africa) finished 20th on the stage, 4'56 down on Jose Serpa.
Kristian House has Recycling.Co.Uk team-mate Ben Greenwood in pursuit.
A rider from the Giant-Asia team climbing to the top of Genting Highlands.
A rider from the Malaysian team by himself on the climb.
Riders at the back of the race climb towards the summit of Genting Highlands.
Gene Bates (LPR) is at peace on the climb up Genting Highlands...
A twenty-five kilometre climb to the top of Genting Highlands, considered to be the hardest stage of the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
Laurent Mangel (Ag2r Prevoyance) finished in 58th position, 13.05 minutes behind stage winner Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni).
Xavier Volpini Tondo (Relax-Gam) was part of the early break and has the jersey unzipped to cool down on the climb.
Russell Downing (Great Britian) always an attacking rider and was part of the early break on stage five.
Angel Vallejo (Relax-Gam) is covered in bandages from a fall earlier on the tour.
Elio Aggiano (LPR) has only this much to go to reach the summit.
Sprint leader Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud) finished the stage in 80th place 18.03 minutes down in the winner.
David Verheyen (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) grimaces on the Hors categorie climb to the top of the Genting Highlands.
Oleg Grishkine (Navigators Insurance) came in 23'46 behind the winner in 106th place.
Ruslan Jasmin (Malaysia) out of the saddle on the leg-sapping Genting Highlands climb.
Japanese team-mates Takum Beppu ( R ) and Kazuhiro Mori work together on the climb.
A lone rider descends the Genting Highlands after the stage .
Descending Genting Highlands was a welcome recovery to the riders after climbing during the race.
A Ceramica Panaria-Navigare pair descend the climb after the stage.
Former tour leader Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) gives us a wave as he descends after the stage.
Like the sign says... winding roads ahead.
A relaxed Relax-Gam rider photographs a photographer.
The bikes of the Ag2r Prevoyance team descend without their masters...

Images by Shane Stokes/Cyclingnews

Dancers entertain the crowds at the start at the Menara Telekom Malaysia Tower.
The breakaway tries to build a good lead before the start of the feared Genting Highlands climb.
The unique culture of Malaysia - where else would you see spectators such as these at a HC ranked race?
The local school bus waited for the race, enabling those on board to share their enthusiasm.
The day's extra podium girl - great memory, but she needs to work on that figure. A nose job might be an idea, too!
The gesture's rude in some countries, but neo-pro José Serpa was simply underlining that this was his second consecutive stage win.
Jose Elias Galindo (Relax-Gam) takes second ahead of Massimo Iannetti (LPR).
Fourth goes to Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole), ahead of Walter Pedraza (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni).
Cesar Grajales (Navigators) finishes sixth, one place ahead of yellow jersey David George (South Africa).
Irishman David McCann went clear on the climb but was hauled back.
Which one is cuter?
Stage winner Jose Serpa on the podium.
Being an entertainment resort, Genting hands out some unusual trophies!
Hossein Askari (Giant Asia) is the new leader of the Asian classification.
Besides leading the race, David George has also taken the lead in the mountains classification.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud) continues to lead the points classification.
With the two tough mountain stages out of the way, George is moving closer to winning this race.
The podium after stage five of the 2006 Telekom Malaysia Tour de Langkawi.
Wily as a fox - Gianni Savio was happy after his team's second stage win in as many days.

Stage 4 - Monday, February 6: Tapah - Kuala Selangor , 144.5km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

A team car with bikes ready to go in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia.
A group of eight riders broke away from the peloton not far from the start of stage four in Tapah.
Locals wave the Malaysian flag as the lead group approaches.
The lead group soon opened up a gap of more than five minutes over the peloton.
The leaders on the wide, flat roads heading towards Kuala Selangor.
The peloton pass many fruit stalls along the wide highway as a crowd gathers on a bridge overhead.
Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) from Colombia crosses the line in Kuala Selangor to rack his first professional victory..
Anthony Ravard (Bouygues Telecom) crosses the line three minutes behind winner Jose Serpa.
Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) won the 142.2 km stage after breaking away five kilometres into the race.
Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) moved up the leaderboard to thirteenth overall after four stages, 6'35 behind the South African race leader David George.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud) still the sprint classification leader after four stages.
By George, you've done it again! Tour leader David George (South Africa) accepts another yellow jersey.
The stage four podium - (L-R) Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud), Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni), Darren Lill (South Africa), David George (South Africa), and Takashi Miyazawa (Japan).
Jose Serpa (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) was a happy man after the stage.
A press conference is held straight after podium presentations on each stage of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
Tour leader David George (South Africa) answers journalists' questions after retaining his tour lead for another day.
David George (South Africa) steps into the anti-doping cage for a control after the stage finish in Kuala Selangor

Stage 3 - Sunday, February 5: Lumut - Cameron Highlands , 150.3km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

David George from South Africa will be hoping to put the rest of the peloton in the same boat - behind him on the Tour de Langkawi general classification.
A local hoping to get a start in stage three of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
Ceramica Panaria-Navigare team-mates Maximiliano Richeze (L) and Ruben Bongiorno catch up on some local reading before stage three.
Members of the Selle Italia Diquigiovanni team get ready for stage three in Lumut.
Andy Flickinger (Bouygues Telecom) doesn't have to go far to make a phone call home.
The boys from Relax-Gam - and relaxed they are!
A local keeps watch on some of the members of the Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team.
Relax with KFC!
It's nice to be able to Relax before a hard day in the saddle.
A breakaway group at the foothills of the Cameron Highlands.
The leaders make their way towards the summit of the Cameron Highlands.
Climbing in the highlands of Malaysia.
The leaders climb Cameron Highlands with around a four and a half minute lead over the peloton.
Team cars follow the lead group over the highlands.
Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) from the USA takes out stage three to the top of the Cameron Highlands.
David McCann (Giant-Asia) crosses the line in fourth position just 32 seconds behind winner Saul Raisin.
Laurent Lefevre (Bouygues Telecom) holds out Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole) for sixth place on the stage.
An Irishman lending an Englishman a hand - chief commissaire Michael Robb pushes Robin Sharman (Recycling.Co.Uk) towards his team van.
Kristian House (Recycling.Co.Uk) crosses the line in 24th position, 5.44 minutes behind the winner.
Takashi Miyazawa (Japan) drives to the finish line after 150.6kms in the saddle.
Ben Greenwood (Recycling.Co.Uk, L) finishes ahead of a thirsty Vyacheslav Dyadichkin (Equipe Asia).
Malaysian rider Hassan Suhardi gets some support from his fans approaching the finish line.
Aussie Gene Bates (LPR) is exhausted after being a member of the initial lead group early into stage three.
Russell Downing (Great Britain) finished in 69th place on stage three, 24.09 minutes down on the winner Saul Raisin.
Chris Newton (Recycling.Co.Uk) rode bravely over the highlands after crashing heavily in the sprint to the line on the previous stage.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud) stretches after the stage while officials organise his Sprint Points leader's jersey presentation.
Kuei Hsiang Peng (Giant Asia) is assisted by photographers after crossing the line.
Angelo Furlan (Selle Italia Diquigiovanni) finishes in 95th place but will concentrate on the Giro d'Italia later in the season.
Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) raises his arms on the podium the stage three winner of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
Takashi Miyazawa (Japan) on the podium as the leading Asian rider overall after three stages.
Darren Lill (South Africa) is the new King of the Mountains competition leader after the third stage.
So tell me Saul... what's the secret to winning a stage of the TM Tour de Langkawi?.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud) still leads the Sprint Points competition after the third stage.
David George (South Africa) is the new tour leader after the third stage.
Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) is now placed 14th overall, 7.22 minutes behind the tour leader David George.
"I've had one solid objective and this is it for now," said new tour leader David George (South Africa).

Stage 2 - Saturday, February 4: Tanjung Malim - Sitiawan , 164.7km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

The motor-bikes of the Malaysian police force at the start line for stage two of the tour.
The tour cavalcade with the yellow jersey car proceed through Tanjung Malim at the start for stage two.
You have got to hand it to the children of Malaysia on the Tour de Langkawi!
Robin Sharman (R) of the Recycling.Co.Uk team was late getting to the race due to passport trouble but is currently placed 19th overall after two stages.
Robert Partridge of the Recycling.Co.Uk team has his race-radio wired up for the stage.
Ben Greenwood of the Recycling.Co.Uk team applies some sun-screen before another day in the saddle beneath the Malaysian sun.
David George from the South African team limbers up before stage two.
Koji Fukushima of Japan receives some encouragement prior to racing on day two of the tour.
Mavic have been the spares suppliers on the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
Registration plates and the tyres of the Malaysian police motor-bikes.
The Malaysian Police have been a tremendous support once again to the TM Tour de Langkawi.
The leading duo of Shinichi Fukushima (Japan) and Albert Primero (Casino Filipino) at a sprint points section during their daring breakaway.
Equipe Asia team soigneurs prepare for some hungry riders on their team.
The lead pair of Shinichi Fukushima (Japan) and Albert Primero (Casino Filipino) cross a bridge almost five and a half minutes ahead of the peloton.
Zahit Sayuti of the Malaysian team in pursuit of the lead pair.
A nasty pile-up on the thrilling sprint into Sitiawan.
Maximiliano Richeze (L), raises his arms in celebration as his Ceramica Panaria-Navigare teammate Ruben Bongiorno (R) takes out stage two.
Angel Vallejo (Relax-Gam) couldn't relax after falling before the finish and crossing the line a bruised and battered rider.
Chris Newton (Recycling.Co.Uk) is helped to an ambulance by tour doctors after a nasty crash 250 metres before the finish.
Englishman Chris Newton (Recycling.Co.Uk) can't believe he could miss the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne after crashing just before the finish to the stage.
Ruben Bongiorno (Ceramica Panari-Navagare) a stage winner of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole) on the podium as the leader of the King of the Mountains competition.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akuda) on the podium as leader of the Sprint Points competition.
The podium after stage two (L-R): Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akuda), Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole), Maximiliano Richeze (Cerimica Panaria-Navigare), Shinichi Yukushima (Japan), and seated stage winner Ruben Bongiorno (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare).
Ruben Bongiorno of Argentina and the Ceramica Panari-Navigare team at the press conference after winning stage two in a bunch sprint.
Takashi Miyazawa of Japan, leader of the Asian rider classification.

Stage 1 - Friday, February 3: KL Tower - Rawang , 81.1km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Maximiliano Richeze (L) before the start with a Ceramica Panaria-Navigare team-mate.
Gene Bates from Australia and with the LPR team, chats with former rider turned commentator David McKenzie, also from Australia.
Father and son of the elephant kind were in Kuala Lumpur for the start of the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
Okay, who is volunteering to move this guy from the start line?
Some of the riders took time to shelter from the heat prior to the opening stage of the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
They're away on stage one of the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
The field head off on an 81km journey from Kuala Lumpur to Rawang.
Pick a lane, any lane The peloton charge through a road-toll on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The peloton pass some of Kuala Lumpur's architecture on the opening stage of the tour.
David George (South Africa) drives the leading bunch as some of the locals watch the tour go by.
Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole) in the leading group of twenty-four riders, which broke away around ten kilometres from the start.
Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) from Argentina of the team in the leading group.
Ryan Cox (South Africa) won this race last year and found himself in a lead group, which quickly put a sizeable dent into the peloton.
Some of the locals on the edge of Kuala Lumpur cheer on the lead group.
A group of locals wave on the peloton, around 4.22 minutes behind the leaders halfway through the 81km stage.
Two down, one to go - Roger Beuchat (LPR) from Switzerland takes on some supplies for his team-mates.
The peloton in the hills surrounding Kuala Lumpur, around four and a half minutes behind a leading group of twenty-four riders.
Mark Walters (Navigators-Insurance) looks for his team car behind him whilst in the leading group.
Ed Beamon, team manager for Navigators-Insurance, hands a bidon to Mark Walters on stage one of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
The lead group have stage one to themselves with a little over 15kms to go.
The lead group swing round at the top of a king of the mountains prime with Australian Corey Sweet (Wiesenhof Akud) in green, third from the right.
Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) takes out stage one into Rawang.
Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) is chauffeured to the presentation podium after his victory.
Dressed in traditional Malaysian attire for the TM Tour de Langkawi presentations.
Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) on the podium.
Here, try this on for size...
The stage one podium (L-R) - Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole), Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akuda), Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare), and Takashi Miyazawa (Japan).
Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) from Argentina awaits the press conference that is on after the podium presentations.
Steffen Radochla (Wiesenhof Akud), from Germany, sprint classification leader after stage one.
Francesco Bellotti (Credit Agricole) from Italy in his polka-dot jersey.
These love birds had a good view of the podium presentations from high on a building at the finish in Rawang.
You don't have to be a dummy to watch the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi go by!

Teams presentation - Thursday, February 2

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Yawadoo Colba-ABM The team from Yawadoo Colba-ABM were the first cab of the rank at the 2006 Tour de Langkawi teams presentation, held at Kuala Lumpur's Concorde Shah Alam hotel..
Wismilak Indonesian team Wismilak have Tonton Susanto once again as their star rider.
Red shoes Only my best pair of shoes for the Tour de Langkawi....
Navigators The team from Navigators Insurance at the teams presentation.
Casino Filipino Casino Filipino at the teams presentation.
The team from LPR with Australian Gene Bates (L) in contention for a some good results on the tour.
LPR's Gene Bates was well placed in the recent Tour Down Under in South Australia and will be looking for another good result in Malaysia.
The French team of AG2R Prevoyance, one of the main contenders to get a rider into GC contention on the tour.
The lads from the Great Britian team.
Ceramica Panaria-Navigare The colourful outfit of Ceramica Panaria-Navigare with Argentinian Ruben Bongiorno a chance to figure in stage wins on the tour.
Camel shoes Anyone for ten-pin bowling?
Giant Asia The team from Giant Asia at the teams presentation for the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
The team from Equipe Asia at the presentation.
Japan The national team from Japan.
Wiesenhof Akud The team of Wiesenhof Akud from Germany with Australian Corey Sweet second from the left.
The French team of Bouygues Telecom with the experienced Andy Flickinger far right.
Landbouwkrediet-Colnago on the presentation podium in Kuala Lumpur.
Recycling.co.uk One of two British teams on the tour, Recycling.co.Uk.
Kristian House (R) and Evan Oliphant of the Recycling.co.uk team.
The Spanish team of Relax-Gam wont be relaxing once the tour gets going.
The Credit Agricole outfit with Christophe Le Mevel (3rd L), a contender on the tour.
Selle Italia Diquigiovanni will once again be a force at the 2006 TM Tour de Langkawi.
The South African team are presented.
Last year's winner and fancied again this year, Ryan Cox of South Africa.
The spotlight will again be on Ryan Cox (R), and his South African team-mates are right behind him.
Malaysia hosting the eleventh running of the TM Tour de Langkawi.
The tiger-striped Malaysian team make a pact at the teams presentation.