By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 12: A dedicated “Borneo Edition” of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) could be staged across Sarawak and Sabah if the state government backs the initiative with funding, according to LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal.
In a report by TVS, he explained that a standalone East Malaysian race would be far more practical and cost-effective than transporting teams, equipment and operational personnel between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo mid-race.
“If we really want to promote Borneo, make it a Borneo Tour de Langkawi.
“In that year, Sabah and Sarawak can fully enjoy the excitement of LTdL,” he said.
The proposed format could feature eight stages split between the two states.
“Sabah’s terrain would provide challenging mountain climbs, while Sarawak’s versatile road networks offer a mix suited for fast-paced, competitive racing,” he explained.
Major hubs like Kuching, Miri and Bintulu have previously hosted LTdL stages, proving the region’s capability to manage high-profile cycling events.
Highlighting the logistical nightmare of the current arrangement, Emir revealed that including Miri and Bintulu in the 2024 edition incurred nearly RM5 million in additional transfer costs alone.
Furthermore, uncontrollable air cargo delays nearly forced organizers to cancel an entire stage.
“We almost lost one stage because we could not bring the equipment there. Cargo flights are something we cannot control… when the cargo is delayed, we cannot control the delivery of bicycles to the riders,” he added.
Emir emphasised that a dedicated edition would streamline logistics, reduce operational risks and serve as an international platform to showcase Sarawak and Sabah to a global audience. — DayakDaily— DayakDaily
