LANGKAWI: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has officially joined the
Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) as the title sponsor for the next three years,
beginning with this year’s edition which gets underway next week.
The national
oil and gas company was unveiled as the title sponsor in a sponsorship ceremony
officiated by Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in Langkawi earlier
today (Thursday).
Petronas’
involvement as the exclusive title sponsor of LTdL will be over three years
from this year until 2021. The sponsorship will be in the form of cash and
kind.
The 8-stage
race, which covers a total distance of 1,234.4km over
nine states in
the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia, will start off in the heart of Kuala
Lumpur with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers as the stunning backdrop on April 6
(Saturday).
The Tour will
come to an end with a penultimate round-island challenge and the finale on
April 12 (Friday) and 13 (Saturday).
Petronas has
been LTdL’s long-time partner since 1997, and has contributed immensely to the
successful organisation of past editions of the race.
Petronas’
long-term involvement in LTdL ensures vehicles and cars used
to transport
teams, riders, officials, media, cavalcade, police escorts and race
staff, will be
adequately fueled throughout the 8-day duration of the race.
Sports
Minister Syed Saddiq expressed his gratitude over Petronas’ major commitment
towards LTdL, saying that the national oil and gas company’s involvement in the
Tour has helped the Tour evolve into what it has become today.
LTdL is
currently among the leading 2.0HC races under the UCI Asia Tour calendar which
offers UCI ranking points, apart from the lucrative prize money offered by the
organisers.
“I wish to
record my gratitude to Petronas who are coming in, in a big way to
support and
ensure the smooth organisation of this year’s Tour. LTdL is much
more than just
a cycling race. It has become a national agenda which helps in
the promotion
of sports tourism and spurs the local economy as well,” said
Syed Saddiq.
Petronas
believes that LTdL is a good platform for the company to build and project its
brand both locally and internationally. “We believe that LTdL is a good
branding platform beyond race tracks in Motorsports, for both Petronas and the
country. As a title sponsor for the next three years, we are continuing our
brand building effort, both domestically and Internationally,” said Noor Afiza
Mohd Yusof, Petronas’ head of brand management.
This year’s
edition will start off with a challenging 176.9 km hilly route from the
Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) in the heart of the city to Dataran Tampin in Negri
Sembilan.
The much
awaited Genting climb takes place on the fourth day from Shah
Alam.
In line with
the Tour’s “Sports Unites, Cycling Contributes” theme, the
organisers are
hoping that this year’s edition receives even greater response and support from
spectators, masses and fans across Malaysia.
A total of 22
teams comprising outfits from the World Tour, Pro-Continental,
Continental
and National Teams tiers are down for action in the Tour
organised by
Human Voyage Sdn Bhd.-nst online.
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