14th Le Tour de Langkawi - 2.HC

Malaysia, February 9-15, 2009

Photography

Stage 7 - February 15: KL Criterium, 80.4 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• The bikes make their way into Kuala Lumpur for the final stage of the 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi.
• The TM building in Kuala Lumpur is home to the tour's major sponsor.
• A French team in Malaysia.
• Tour leader Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) takes it easy before the final stage in Kuala Lumpur.
• Alexandr Pliuschin (Ag2r La Mondiale) has been touted as a rider of the future.
• A rider straps on his Lake riding shoes in readiness for some serious sprinting.
• Some pre-stage entertainment from the locals in Kuala Lumpur.
• Mattai Gavazzi (left) signs an autograph for a fan as Gianluca Mirenda (ISD) looks on.
• Gianni Savio (l), team-manager of Diquigiovanni-Androni chats with ISD team-manager Yuriy Zayats before the final stage.
• Two riders tried for an early break on the 80.4 kilometre final stage.
• The peloton in the shade on the streets of Kuala Lumpur's CBD.
• ISD was prominent again on the front of the peloton.
• The peloton speed beneath the Petronas Towers an iconic landmark in Malaysia's capital.
• The peloton flies by Kuala Lumpur's Coliseum.
• Bartosz Huzarski (ISD) from Poland drives the peloton on the final day of the tour.
• Tour leader Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) corners back in the peloton.
• The field heads around the 6.5 kilometre circuit which they had to lap twelve times.
• The field heads under the banner with one lap to go.
• Yohann Gene (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) takes out the final stage of the tour in Kuala Lumpur.
• Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) from Colombia signals he is number one in Malaysia for 2009.
• Ah, what a relief: Nikolay Slonov (Kazahkstan National Team) cools down under the water of the Kuala Lumpur fire brigade.
• Tonton Susanto (LeTua Cycling Team) won the best placed Asian rider of the tour.
• Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) steps onto the podium the 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi winner.
• Serpa also won the Genting King of the Mountains competition on the tour.
• Italian sprinter Mattai Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) won the green jersey of the Milo Sprint Points competition.
• A happy Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) acknowledges his fans in Kuala Lumpur.
• Gavazzi in green, Yohann Gene the stage winner, and Serpa in yellow.
• The tour's winning team on the GC - Diquigiovanni-Androni.
• The podium is full of winners including the best Asian team on the GC the National team from Iran.
• Thumbs-up to the Tour de Langkawi from 2009 winner Jose Serpa from Colombia.

Images by Evis Chu/Photosport International

• The high-speed crit in Kuala Lumpur ended the week-long stage race.
• Yohann Gene (BBox Bouygues Telecom) was the first ProTour rider to win a stage in the 2009 race.
• Riding through downtown Kuala Lumpur.
• Gene won the sprint ahead of a hard-fighting Gavazzi, who finished third.

Images by Bruno Bade/www.ltdl.com.my

• Teammates Mattia Gavazzi (l) and Jose Serpa of Diquigiovanni-Androni flank stage winner Yohann Gene (BBox Bouygues Telecom) on the podium.
• Yohann Gene (BBox Bouygues Telecom) waves to the crowd from the podium.
• Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) is all smiles on the podium.
• Yohann Gene (BBox Bouygues Telecom) won the final stage, the first victory of his five-year pro career.
• The peloton blazes through the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
• Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) makes his way through the final stage of the Tour of Langkawi.
• The Petronas Towers loom large in the background.
• Teammates Jose Serpa (l) and Mattia Gavazzi of Diquigiovanni-Androni had much to celebrate in this edition of the Tour of Langkawi.

Stage 6 - February 14: Batang Kali - Shah Alam, 147.6 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Malaysian National Team and MNCF Cycling Team are made up of riders from all around Malaysia.
• Jai Crawford (left) pins his number onto his Genting King of the Mountains jersey while Australian National Team teammate Timothy Roe studies the GC results.
• José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) from Colombia would take a 27-second lead into the penultimate stage.
• Ruben Bongiorno (CSF-Group Navigare) at the sign-on in Batang Kali for stage six of the tour.
• Richie Porte (Australian National Team) could finish in the top ten in only his second year of stage racing, Porte finished in the top ten in the 2008 Tour Down Under.
• Oscar Pujol Munoz (55) and J A Marchante Gomez (53) of Cervélo Test Team watch the acrobatics of a motor-cross rider on the start line in Batang Kali.
• Tour leader José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) with some local dancers in Batang Kali.
• Shimano neutral service cars await the start to stage six of the tour.
• Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream) from Canada drives the peloton in the early stages of stage six.
• The tour leader José Serpa gets some assistance from Diquigiovanni-Androni teammate Mattai Gavazzi (right) after striking trouble early into stage six.
• Miyataka Shimizu (EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design) leads Mehdi Sohrabi (Iran) and Sergii Matveyev (ISD) in an early breakaway attempt.
• Tour leader José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) corners back in the peloton on the 147.6km stage six from Batang Kali to Shah Alam.
• Having a cow of a time: The peloton narrowly missed being cleaned up by a herd of runaway cows during stage six.
• Thirty seconds earlier and all hell would have broken loose as a herd of cows decided they're not waiting for the Tour de Langkawi.
• José Serpa (yellow) was never too far away from his nearest rival on the GC, Jai Crawford (red), during the stage.
• Jai Crawford (Australian National Team) wore the Genting King of the Mountains jersey on the stage as it's competition leader José Serpa wore the tour leader's yellow jersey.
• The peloton stretched out on the wide open road around 1:50 minutes behind a leading quartet.
• ISD drive the peloton as Australia's Gene Bates takes onboard musettes after the feed-station.
• Shinichi Fukushima (EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design) got himself into another break on stage six.
• The Italy-based ISD squadra were driving the peloton in search of the leading four.
• A young Malaysian boy watches the peloton speed under an overpass in search of the leaders around a minute up the road.
• Fukushima, Hilton Clarke (Fuji-Servetto), Fortunato Baliani (CSF-Group Navigare), and Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) formed from a nine rider group to begin their own quest for stage victory.
• ISD power the peloton towards the leaders nearing thirty kilometres to the finish.
• Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) from Australia is a talented track star back home and was right at home on the road in the lead group which was trying to steal the stage.
• Chris Sutton (left) of Garmin-Slipstream raises his front wheel on the line in a tight finish with AG2R La Mondiale's Aurélien Clerc and Diquigiovanni-Androni's Mattai Gavazzi (right).
• Now that's close (l-r): Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream), Aurélien Clerc (Ag2R La Mondiale) and Mattai Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) hit the line dead-locked in the finish to stage six.
• That's number four boys: Diquigiovanni-Androni's Mattai Gavazzi (right) pumps the air after narrowly winning stage six.
• Riders cool themselves off after another hot day in the saddle compliments of a Malaysian fire brigade in Shah Alam.
• I'm glad that's over: AG2R La Mondiale's Guillaume Bonnafond feels the strain of racing in the hot and humid conditions here in Malaysia.
• The peloton was smokin' so much on stage six that the local fire brigade had to put them out after the stage to Shah Alam.
• Stage winner Mattai Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) from Italy on the podium in Shah Alam.
• Tonton Susanto (LeTua Cycling Team) remains in the blue jersey as the best placed Asian rider on the tour.
• Colombian José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) will take out the Genting King of the Mountains competition on the tour.
• Try this on for size José: José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) accepts his yellow jersey as the tour leader in Shah Alam.
• Gavazzi in green; Serpa in yellow; Susanto in blue.

Images by Evis Chu/Photosport International

• The Malaysian fans were happy to see the riders.
• The snake-like road in stage six.
• Cows had little respect for the race but at least crossed after the riders.
• The yellow, green sprinter's and red polka dot jersey holders ride together.
• Team ISD leads the bunch to chase down the break.
• In the last 10km to the finish the peloton broke apart.
• The photo finish with winner Gavazzi on the right, next to Clerc and Sutton, the latter even lifting his front wheel in the effort.
• The jerseys after stage six with (l-r) Gavazzi (sprints), Serpa (overall) and Tonton Susanto (Best Asian rider).
• The peloton single-filed most of the fast stage six.

Images by Bruno Bade/www.ltdl.com.my

• A few more stage victories and Diquigiovanni will be running out of hands to count them.
• Colombian José Serpa in the leader's jersey with one day remaining.
• Serpa gets lots of help from everybody in his quest to finally win the GC.
• Gavazzi wins another medal
• The top three were so tight that the results was only announced after a thorough review of the finish shot.
• The four-man break that dominated the day
• The peloton had no eyes for the scenery.
• Green and yellow in one team makes everyone happy at Diquigiovanni.

Stage 5 - February 13: Petaling Jaya - Genting Highlands, 102 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Riders speed through toll-gates on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
• The peloton male their way through one of Kuala Lumpur's many toll-gates on the freeways around the city.
• Australian trio, l-r: Gene Bates, Jai Crawford and Richie Porte before the stage got serious after leaving the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
• A road-worker stops for smoke and watches the tour go by.
• Back to work as a break is formed with Fuji-Servetto's Daniele Nardello and Cervélo TestTeam's Marcel Wyss.
• Road workers stop to watch the two leaders go by with the peloton around three minutes behind.
• Stop work meeting: Road workers take a break to watch the peloton fly past in the kilometres of stage five.
• Marcel Wyss (Cervélo TestTeam) and Daniele Nardello (Fuji-Servetto) had a lead of 3:50 with twenty-five kilometres and the climb up to Genting Highlands remaining.
• The peloton grind their way towards the two leaders who had a handy break up the road.
• The two leaders (left) had the peloton breathing down their necks by the time the stage had hit the lower slopes of Genting Highlands.
• Wyss and Nardello were about to be caught on the road to the top of Genting Highlands.
• Gene Bates (Australian National Team) leads the bunch onto the lower slopes of Genting Highlands.
• Riders on the steep ascent with their destination, Genting Highlands, high up in the clouds in the background.
• Jai Crawford (Australian National Team) leads José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) around another bend on the road to Genting Highlands.
• Englishman Dan Fleeman (Cervélo TestTeam) on the slopes Genting Highlands and giving chase to the leaders.
• The winning move: José Serpa (far left) sets sail for home and leaves his Diquigiovanni-Androni teammates and Australia's Jai Crawford in his wake.
• José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) out of the saddle on his way to another stage win on Genting Highlands.
• You guys photograph those two and I will photograph you two and those two too!
• Serpa continues his way as the gradient hits eleven percent.
• Hello moto: A TV motor-bike bites the dust on the steep ascent up Genting Highlands.
• Jai Crawford (Australian National Team) was giving his all in the final kilometres in his quest to catch Serpa.
• José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) indicates his third stage win to the top of Genting Highlands.
• Gut busting: A great ride from Tasmanian Jai Crawford (Australian National Team) to take second place on the stage and into second overall on the GC.
• Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) does his best Robbie McEwen impersonation much to Australia's Adam Semple's (l) amusement.
• Jai Crawford (right) is congratulated by Australian National Team teammate Richie Porte after his gutsy ride into second place on the GC.
• A Tasmanian trio: Australian National Team teammates, l-r: Jai Crawford, Cameron Wurf and Richie Porte are wrapped in their efforts up Genting Highlands.
• A podium presenter of a different kind on Genting Highlands after stage five.
• Tonton Susanto (LeTua Cycling Team) in the blue jersey of the best placed Asian rider on the tour.
• José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) is the new leader of the Genting King of the Mountains competition.
• From yellow to green: Italian Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) may have relinquished the tour lead to teammate José Serpa but he still holds the Milo Sprint Points competition lead.
• José Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni), the new leader in yellow of the 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi after his convincing win to the top of Genting Highlands.
• The Malaysian police go through their pre-stage ritual which includes a prayer prior to stage five.
• No one is messing with the Malaysian police on the Tour de Langkawi.
• Rene Weissinger (Vorarlberg-Corratec) at the sign-on in Petalinga Jaya for stage five.
• Gianluca Mirenda (ISD) contemplates the difficult stage five which finishes atop Genting Highlands.
• Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni) on the startline in Petalinga Jaya and about to stamp his authority on the Tour de Langkawi.
• The peloton heads out of Kuala Lumpur on the 102 kilometre fifth stage.
• The tour heads towards Genting Highlands and leaves the traffic jams behind them.

Images by Evis Chu/Photosport International

• Jose Serpa Perez (Diquigiovanni-Androni) wins the fifth stage to Genting.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) puts on the green jersey after stage five
• A girl who wants to be king of the mountain.
• Daniele Nardello (Fuji-servetto) drinks water to prepare the attack on the mountain.
• It is not Serpa's first time to win in Genting.
• The Malaysian fans made Misbah M Rauf Nur (MNCF) more powerful.
• Serpa, Gavazzi and Tonton Susant (Letua) on the podium.
• Serpa and Gianni Savio, the coach of Diquigiovanni-Androni) talk with media.

Stage 4 - February 12: Melaka - Bangi, 221 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• The team of EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design pose for a photo prior to stage four in Melaka.
• The Malaysian National team and the MNCF Cycling Team pose for a photo in Melaka.
• The team of Fuji-Servetto in Melaka prior to stage four of the tour.
• Janse Van Rensburg (South African National Team) in his Genting King of the Mountains jersey prior to stage four.
• Shinichi Fukushima (EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design) was considering a move to get into a breakaway group on stage four.
• The number one dossard of Diquigiovanni-Androni's Manuel Belletti.
• Local schoolchildren were flying the flag for Malaysia during stage four of the tour.
• Malaysian National Team's Mohd Zamri Saleh had his gloves strapped to the handle-bars early into stage four.
• The peloton were all together at around the twenty-five kilometre mark of the 221 kilometre stage.
• The peloton pass through a village on their 221 kilometre trek, the longest stage of the tour.
• A group of eight riders broke away from the peloton at around the fifty kilometre mark.
• Sergii Matveyev (ISD) has his photo taken (twice) as he speeds into town.
• Escape duo: Shinichi Fukushima, l, of EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design and Gu Hyeon Kim (Seoul Cycling) in the lead group.
• The peloton roll through around four minutes behind a lead group of eight riders.
• Christoff Van Heerden (South Africa), Yukiya Arashiro (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), and René Weissinger (Vorarlberg-Corratec) charge towards the finish of an intermediate sprint point at Port Dickson.
• Tour leader Mattia Gavazzi and Diquigiovanni-Androni teammate Luca Celli share a moment in the peloton.
• The breakaway group was making life difficult for the peloton on the longest stage of the tour which included a cat 2 and 3 hill climbs.
• Christoff Van Heerden (South Africa) cools off whilst Jeremy Yates (LeTua Cycling Team) contemplates a banana.
• Yates from New Zealand decides against the banana and digs deep into the musette.
• French snapper Bruno Bade displays all the skills involved when trying to photograph riders on a hill climb.
• The chasing peloton on the category three climb at Bukit Tangga.
• Tour leader Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) had one of those days in the saddle when things didn't go his way but he would remain in yellow after the stage.
• New Zealander Jeremy Yates (LeTua Cycling Team) takes the points at the top of the category two climb at Genting Peres after 172 kilometres.
• Shinichi Fukushima (EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design) was hopeful to get into the break and he did.
• Julien Loubet (AG2R La Mondiale) gets over the category two climb at Genting Peres and goes in search of the leaders.
• Gyung Gu Jang (Seoul Cycling Team) from Korea fell heavily early into the descent at Genting Peres and was taken to hospital in an ambulance and withdrew from the tour.
• Jackson Rodriguez (Diquigiovanni-Androni) and Tonton Susanto (LeTua Cycling Team) tried to get across to two leaders in the final twenty kilometres.
• René Weissinger (Vorarlberg-Corratec) and Jeremy Yates (LeTua Cycling Team) were holding a slender lead on two chasers and the peloton with a little over 15 kilometres to the finish.
• Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) crashes heavily at 70 km/h in the mad dash to the line in Bandar Baru Bangi.
• Samai (LeTua Cycling Team) takes out stage four into Bandar Baru Bangi.
• A fist pumping Samai was delighted with his stage win and put an end to Mattia Gavazzi's hope of a fourth straight stage win.
• Samai's LeTua Cycling's teammate, Jeremy Yates, was wrapped with the stage win after he rode strongly in the break and himself claimed the King of the Mountains jersey for his efforts.
• A dejected Chris Sutton walks across the finish line after crashing out of the stage in the sprint. Garmin-Slipstream teammate Ricardo Van Der Velde is on hand for consoling.
• A bloodied Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) walks back to the team-car.
• Jeremy Yates's hard work on the stage didn't go un-noticed as his teammate and stage winner, Samai, is also interviewed (background).
• Stage winner Samai (LeTua Cycling Team) averaged 42.08 km/h on the 221 kilometre trip
• LeTua Cycling team's Samai is the new leader in the best Asian rider on the tour.
• New Zealander Jeremy Yates (LeTua Cycling Team) is the new leader of the Genting King of the Mountains competition.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) remains in the Milo Sprint Points jersey after four stages.
• The podium in Bandar Baru Bangi after the fourth stage.
• Samai, Gavazzi and Yates on the podium in Bandar Baru Bangi.

Images by Evis Chu/Photosport International

• Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) crashes in the final 50m of the stage.
• Samai (LeTua Cycling Team) wins stage four while Nolan Hoffman (South Africa National Team) expresses his displeasure.
• Samai (LeTua Cycling Team) and Jeremy Yates (Letua Cycling Team) wear the best Asian rider's jersey and best climber's jersey respectively.
• Fans and photographers observe the passing peloton.
• Miyataka Shimizu ( EQA - Meitan Hompo - Graphite Design) tries to bridge to the lead group.
• Samai (LeTua Cycling Team) is very pleased with his stage win.

Stage 3 - February 11: Melaka - Melaka, 186 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Pre-stage entertainment in Melaka.
• The Kazakhstan boys chose thongs for the sign-on in Melaka.
• Shoes that are pedaling over 1,000 kilometres around Malaysia.
• The peloton awaits the start to stage three…hang on, they're rickshaws!
• A rider from EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design checks out the rickshaws for handling before stage three.
• I love my shoes: South African Janse Van Rensburg shows off his riding shoes in Melaka.
• The Malaysian Beatles?
• The peloton leaves Melaka on the 186-kilometre out-and-back stage.
• A breakaway trio formed in the first twenty kilometres and local rider Ali Ahmed Fallanie took time out to wave to his supporters.
• The leading trio of Kyu Suh Seok (Seoul Cycling), Ricardo Van Der Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) and Ali Ahmed Fallanie (Malaysian National Team) descend a bridge with the gap growing.
• The peloton had let three riders escape early on the 186 kilometre stage.
• Bartosz Huzarski (ISD) from Poland is in 53rd place just 30 seconds down on the tour leader after three stages.
• Jackson Rodriguez (Diquigiovanni-Androni) working hard on the front of the peloton for his tour leader and teammate in yellow Mattia Gavazzi
• The peloton on a small rise through a plantation with a break of three riders seven minutes up the road.
• The peloton is warned of a tight right-hander coming up.
• The tour leader Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) spent a lot of time at the rear of the peloton during stage three.
• Garmin-Slipstream's Ricardo Van Der Velde cools himself down during a hot day in the leading break.
• Australian team members (l-r): Gene Bates, Jai Crawford and Richie Porte stretch their legs on the front of the peloton.
• A Malaysian police officer watches the tour go by.
• Gene Bates (Australian National Team) gives the thumbs-up to the tour with the smiling Federico Canuti (CSF-Group Navigare) by his side.
• The chasing peloton passes through a township heading into the final forty kilometres and closing the gap to the lead trio.
• Burning rubber: The lead trio didn't have far to look for some tyre replacements with the rubber literally dripping off the trees in Malaysia!
• The charge to the line and Gavazzi (yellow) edges out Chris Sutton (right) again to complete a hat-trick of stages.
• Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) from Italy maintains his lead in the tour and averaged 40.81 km/h during stage three.
• Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kazahkstan National Team) remains in the blue jersey of the leading Asian rider on the tour.
• Italian Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) has won back the green jersey of the Milo Sprint Points champion on the tour.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) holds onto an eighteen-second lead over Australian Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) after three stages.
• The tour's competition leaders with the podium girls in Melaka.

Images by Evis Chu/Photosport International

• The main bunch in stage three of the Tour de Langkawi.
• Team Diquigiovanni-Androni is control the race
• Ali Ahmed Fallanie (Team Malaysia) tries to get way.
• Marcel Wyss (Cervélo Test Team) carriers water bottles to his teammates.
• A crash right before the finish line.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli) wins his third stage at the Tour de Langkawi.
• Janse Van Rensburg (Team South Africa) wins the red polka dot jersey of best climber.
• Malaysia's students cheer on the riders of the Tour de Langkawi.

Images by Bruno Bade/www.ltdl.com.my

• Gavazzi and Savio enjoy the ride to the start line in the Carrefour parking lot.
• Roundabouts add to confusion in races sometimes, and Malaysia is no exception.
• It is not the Tour de France but there are still many fans out on the road.
• Diquigiovanni-Androni in the familiar position at the front of the race.
• The fans wave as the peloton rushes by.
• Gavazzi ones again beats Sutton once again.

Stage 2 - February 10: Senawang - Melaka, 160.9 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Hang on a minute. You guys look all the same!
• Crossing the line: Riders duck under a police-tape near the sign-on in Senawang.
• The peloton's personal photographer perhaps?
• Tour leader Mattia Gavazzi shares a joke with Diquigiovanni-Androni teammate Jose Serpa prior to stage two in Senawang.
• The team Diquigiovanni-Androni poses with local dancers in Senawang.
• As usual the exposure is on the tour leader in yellow, Mattia Gavazzi from Italy, heading into the second stage.
• Alexander Pliuschin (AG2R La Mondiale) was ready for a long day in the saddle.
• Daniel Fleeman (Cervélo Test Team) is the only rider from Great Britain in this year's Le Tour de Langkawi.
• Ruben Bongiorno (CSF-Group Navigare) from Argentina signs on in Senawang prior to stage two of the tour.
• Luca Celli (Diquigiovanni-Androni) leads the peloton around a bend early into the 160.9 kilometre stage from Senawang to Melaka.
• The yellow jersey of the tour leader, Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) corners in the peloton.
• Locals flying the flag for Malaysia during stage two of the tour.
• Gene Bates (L) of the Australian National Team will be looking to make an impact on the GC when the tour heads up the Genting Highlands.
• Ian McLeod (L) of the South African National Team requires assistance after breaking a chain near a King of the Mountains climb on stage two.
• The peloton makes its way up a steep climb early into the second stage.
• Riders begin to struggle a kilometre from the summit.
• The field began to splinter on a tough climb about 25 kilometres into the stage.
• There was little room for overtaking on the narrow roads after the descent.
• Ricardo Van Der Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) tows a Chinese National Team rider towards a leading duo.
• Alexander Pliuschin (Ag2R La Mondiale) rode superbly in his break with Cervelo Test Team's Oscar Pujol Munoz.
• The peloton passes through Tampin some four-and-a-half minutes behind the two leaders.
• Huge crowds line the roads through the Malaysian townships to watch the tour go by.
• Tour leader Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) was relaxed back in the peloton.
• A Bouygues Telecom crew member at the feed station and handing out much needed supplies to riders on another hot day in the saddle.
• Hungry? Igor Abakoumov (ISD) tucks into some food during the 160.9 kilometre stage.
• Roman Zhiyentayev (Kazakhstan National Team) takes an on-road shower to cool down during his attempt to catch the leaders with Garmin-Slipstream's Ricardo Van Der Velde
• Oscar Pujol Munoz (Cervelo Test Team) and Alexander Pliuschin (AG2R La Mondiale) were finally caught with four-and-a-half kilometres to go after a great attempt to pinch the win.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) has time to look around for challengers as he sprints to the line in Melaka.
• Italian in-form sprinter Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) takes his second stage of the tour.
• Stage winner Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) achieved an average speed of 43.44 km/h for the 160.9 kilometres.
• Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kazakhstan National Team) is the leader of the best placed Asian rider on the tour.
• Genting King of the Mountains leader, Janse Van Rensburg (South Africa), makes his way towards the podium.
• Janse Van Rensburg (South Africa National Team) tries on his Genting King of the Mountains jersey.
• Well done mate: Tour leader Mattia Gavazzi applauds teammate Luca Celli after his efforts on the stage. Celli crossed the line more than eight minutes behind his winning teammate.
• Diquigiovanni-Androni's Mattia Gavazzi is the leader of the Milo Sprint Points competition after two stages.
• Coke adds life: Tour leader and stage two winner, Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) takes a well deserved drink after his win into Melaka.

Images by Bruno Bade/www.ltdl.com.my

• `The start of the stage
• Diquigiovanni kept the breaks in check.
• Gavazzi was concentrated throughout the stage.
• The bunch led by Diquigiovanni
• Gavazzi in winning pose
• Double winner Gavazzi with victory symbol.

Images by Evis Chu/Photosport International

• Mattia Gavazzi was again attentive and his team helped a lot to reel the break in.
• Gavazzi won his second stage in as many days.
• The fire department came to the rescue of the exhausted riders after another tough race in hot and humid conditions.
• Gianni Savio likes it a lot that his boys are controlling and winning the races.
• The .local kids enjoy the race action

Stage 1 - February 9: Putrajaya - Senawang, 133.8 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Juan Jose Cobo (Fuji-Servetto) relaxes before the start to stage one of the 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi in Putrajaya.
• Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) from Australia at the sign-on for stage one.
• Guo Hui (China National Team) signs on for stage one of the tour.
• Federico Canuti (CSF-Group Navigare) signs on for the 133.8 kilometre stage one from Putrajaya to Senawang.
• Colourful and happy faces await to entertain the crowd prior to stage one.
• Hosein Askari (Iran National Team) focuses on the ride ahead . Askari is a regular on the Tour de Langkawi.
• Langkawi debutant, Cameron Wurf (Australian National Team), is a long way from home back in Tasmania.
• Giovanni Bernaudeau (BBO Bouygues Telecom) from France signs on in Putrajaya.
• All the colour and culture of the pre-stage entertainment in Putrajaya.
• The peloton leave Putrajaya bound for Senawang on stage one of the tour in Malaysia.
• Riders pass under a bridge not long after the start in Putrajaya.
• Tour snappers await the race on a bridge in Putrajaya.
• The shot is taken and now it's back on the moto to follow the tour again.
• The peloton on a small climb during the 133.8 kilometre stage one.
• A field of 119 riders left the startline in Putrajaya for the 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi.
• Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kazakhstan National Team), Jaco Venter (South African National Team), and Mohd Akmal Amrun (MNCF Cycling Team) were away on a break for most of the stage.
• Giovanni Bernaudeau (BBO Bouygues Telecom) stretches the back after a collision with Aurelien Clerc (Ag2R La Mondiale)
• The peloton passes through a village in search of the breakaway.
• Riders in the peloton corner around two minutes behind the leaders.
• Aw, what's up doc? The tour speeds by a rabbit farm.
• Everyone was trying to get a peek at the Tour de Langakwi!
• The peloton string out with around fifty kilometres to go on the first stage.
• The peloton was closing in on the leaders approaching the Genting King of the Mountains climb on stage one.
• Pelumba pelumba means peloton or more than one rider in Malay.
• Deliveries must wait as the Tour de Langkawi goes by.
• Gruzdev, Venter and Amrun make their way up the Genting King of the Mountains climb nearing 25 kilometres to the finish.
• The weather was hot and muggy so we stopped for some coconut milk heading into the finish.
• Mattia Gavazzi (right) of the Diquigiovanni-Androni team edges out Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) to win the first stage of the tour.
• Gavazzi from Italy celebrates after crossing the line in Senawang.
• Thumbs-up from commissaires after the first stage completed in the 2009 Le Tour de Langkawi
• South African Jaco Venter has his Genting King of the Mountains jersey zipped up on the podium after claiming the lead in that competition.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) does his own zipping after claiming the Milo Sprint Points jersey after stage one.
• Stage winner Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni-Androni) is the tour leader in yellow after stage one.
• The podium after stage one of the tour in Senawang.

Images by Bruno Bade/www.ltdl.com.my

• The start area with the riders eager to get underway.
• Diquigiovanni kept things in check for a possible sprint finish.
• The bunch rides through the Malaysian towns.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni) and Chris Sutton (Garmin) sprint it out for the victory.
• Gavazzi took another opening stage of a multi-day race, after San Luis.
• Gavazzi took over the lead in the general classification.

Images by Evis Chu/ Photosports International

• Welcome to Malaysia.
• Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kazakhstan National Team) on the attack.
• Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni) wins the first stage.
• The jersey holders after stage 1 (l-r) Mountains jersey held by Jaco Venter (South Africa National Team), General classification led by Mattia Gavazzi (Diquigiovanni) and Best Asian rider held by Dmitriy Gruzdev (Kazakhstan National Team).

February 8: Team Presentations

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Johann Tschopp (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) was all smiles at the team's presentations for the 2009 Tour de Langkawi
• Juan Jose Cobo (Fuji-Servetto) will be a rider to watch when the race hits the slopes of the Genting Highlands
• Chris Sutton (Garmin-Slipstream) will be a rider to look out for with Australian teammate Cameron Meyer by his side all the way
• New Zealander Jeremy Yates (LeTua Cycling Team) knows all about the race around Malaysia after finishing fourth overall in 2008
• Tim Roe (Australian National Team) clowns around at the team's presentation prior to his first Tour de Langkawi
• Ian McLeod is home on the catwalk in Malaysia as he prepares for another tour with the South African National Team
• The South African National Team in Malaysia again for an assault on the Tour de Langkawi
• Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream) makes his way back to the motel room after the team's presentation
• The team of Ag2R La Mondiale
• Bbox Bouygues Telecom, one of four Pro-Tour teams in the 2009 Tour de Langkawi
• The team from Fuji-Servetto
• Garmin-Slipstream on the podium at the team's presentation
• Pro-Continental team CSF-Group Navigare
• Pro-Continental team Cervelo Test Team
• Pro-Continental team Diquigiovanni-Androni
• Tour fancy Jose Serpa (right) make his way to his team's table at the presentation
• Pro-Continental team ISD of which the 'Lion King' Mario Cippolinni has a vested interest
• Pro-Continental team Vorarlberg-Corratec
• Continental team Doha
• Shinici Fukushima leads his EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design teammates off the podium
• Continental team LeTua Cycling Team
• Continental team Seoul Cycling
• The Australian National Team
• The National team from China
• The Iran National Team
• The Kazakhstan National Team
• The MNCF Cycling Team from Malaysia
• The Malaysian National team leave the podium
• Diquigiovanni-Androni team manager Gianni Savio (right) gets a point across to the amusement of Jose Serpa (centre) and Aurelien Clerc at the pre-race press conference.
• Wake me up before you go go: EQA-Meitan Hompo-Graphite Design's Shinici Fukushima (left) catches up on some shut-eye at the press conference.
• One of the pre-race fancies, Jose Serpa (Diquigiovanni-Androni), finds a question amusing at the press conference.
• Last year's Milo Sprint Points Champion, Aurelien Clerc (AG2R La Mondiale), is out to defend his title in the 2009 edition.
• The power of one: Anuar Manan (Malaysian National Team) adopts a serious look at the press conference at the Palace of the Golden Horses near Kuala Lumpur.