Five Companies Make Their LTDL Debut In The Cavalcade

KUALA LUMPUR, THURSDAY - Le Tour de Langkawi's popular cavalcade continues to grow in the 18th edition of the race from February 21 to March 2, with four newcomers set to make their presence felt.

The four new companies - Agrobank, Chinese automobile brand GWM, Kenwood, bicycle brand Avanti and the National Cancer Council Malaysia (Makna) - officially presented their sponsorship in a ceremony at the LTdL headquarters today.

In acknowledging the significance of LTdL as a platform to raise awareness and promote Agrobank's services and banking facilities to the public during the race, chief executive officer Dato’ Wan Mohd Fadzmi Wan Othman said the firm was also looking forward to supporting the Ministry of Youth and Sports' efforts to promote Malaysia on the international stage.

"Apart from supporting the efforts of the Ministry, Agrobank's main objectives and focus is to provide banking facilities and services to our specific target market which are farmers, breeders and fisherman, as well as agricultural initiatives, which can be addressed through promotions along the LTdL route," said Dato' Wan Mohd Fadzmi.

Great Wall Motors or GWM through exclusive distributors Green Oranges Sales & Services Sdn Bhd has recently been making progress in introducing their vehicles into the Malaysian market and are aiming to quash the negative perception towards China-made vehicles by proving their worth as part of the race entourage that travels through the 10 stages covering an average of 250 kilometres a day.

"Great Wall Motors (GWM) is aware of the hesitation towards the quality of China branded products in Malaysia. However, we believe that with the demonstration of the performance and testimony of our products many will changes their views. It will certainly change the mind of skeptics towards China made product," said Green Oranges head of marketing Zuraimi Imran Zulkifli.

"A series of recognition from our local esteem media wipes off UEM Berhad doubt and purchased our Wingle 5 for their MRT projects and then followed by Propel Berhad with the same reason. To prove more to the public on Great Wall Motors capability and endurance, we are sponsoring the LTDL cavalcade team with 4 units of our Wingle 5 during the whole stages."

Makna was represented by general manager Farahida Dato’ Mohd Farid, who stated the importance of the council's alliance with LTdL, particularly in addressing the awareness towards the disease, as the race's Official Charity Partner.

"MAKNA is not-for-profit social enterprise mainly tasked to pool and utilise every effort, expertise and financial aid from every faction of society, and to fight cancer and reduce the related pain, suffering and morbidity that cancer patients and their families often experience," said Pn Farahida.

"As the official Charity Partner for Le Tour de Langkawi 2013, MAKNA takes this opportunity to create cancer awareness to the public and to position itself at an
international sporting event for the first time. Cancer knows no bounds nor colour nor creed. It affects people the world over. More than 12.7 million have been diagnosed worldwide and in Malaysia more than 17 000 Malaysian have been diagnosed. We hope to do our level best to ensure that the numbers of people diagnosed with cancer is reduced significantly in the years to come through awareness and early detection programmes."

New Zealand bicycle brand Avanti was represented by manager Shahrizad Omar and the brand, which is being distributed in Malaysia by SMS Bike Plus Sdn Bhd, will be using the race as a platform to promote its brand to the growing number of cycling enthusiasts throughout the country.

Renowned audio systems brand Kenwood, were represented by managing director Wong Kok Meng and multimedia designer Hijjaz Hamidi Abdul Aziz from the sole distributors of the brand Mal-Tel Communications Sdn Bhd. Kenwood will be supplying radio communications products and services to the race.

The convoy for LTdL 2013 cavalcade of cars decorated with sponsors’ liveries and colors will depart an hour prior to the start of the race and arrive at the finish an hour before the scheduled finish of every stage. A variety of souvenirs for the fans will be distributed along the route of the race by the convoy's entourage.

The LTdL 2013, which carries the slogan "The Heat is On", will officially begin in Kangar on February 21 and the race comprises 10 stages, covering 1469.7 kilometres.

The race is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as a 2.HC (hors category) race on the UCI Asia Tour calendar, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, via the National Sports Council (NSC) in association with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

-www.ltdl.com.my