28/09/2025

theSun on Sunday SEPT 28, 2025

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WorldTeam status teams, nine ProTeams, 10 Continentals. The national will make an appearance as competitors as well. LTdL 2025 will take place from Sept 28 to Oct 5, involving eight stages with a total distance of 1,244.2 kilometres. This race is organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through the National Sports Council (MSN) in collaboration with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF). The competition will begin with Stage 1 in Langkawi Island (Sept 28), followed by Stage 2 Padang Besar, Perlis–Kepala Batas, Dazzling drone show

RESULTS

A TOTAL of 22 teams competing in the 29th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2025 were introduced in a grand ceremony at Dataran Lang, Kuah, yesterday. This is the second consecutive time Langkawi has hosted the symbolic event before the prestigious Asian cycling race officially opens today. The ceremony was also graced with a light show involving 380 drones that adorned the sky at Dataran Lang, mesmerising visitors. Also present at the ceremony were Kedah State Youth and Sports Exco Radhi Mat Din; deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Abdullah Hasan; and National Sports Council director Jefri Ngadirin Abdullah Hassan. A total of 130 riders consisting of two

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: West Brom 1 Leicester City 1. SPANISH LA LIGA: Girona 0 Espanyol 0. GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Bayern Munich 4 Werder Bremen 0. FRENCH LIGUE 1: Strasbourg 1 Marseille 2.

Penang; Stage 3 Gerik, Perak–Pasir Puteh, Kelantan; Stage 4 Kuala Terengganu– Kemaman; Stage 5 Temerloh–Bukit Fraser, Pahang; Stage 6 Shah Alam, Selangor–Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan; Stage 7 Melaka– Medini, Johor; before concluding with Stage 8 Tangkak, Johor–Kuala Lumpur on Oct 5. For Stage 1 today, the riders will cover a 96.7km route around the area of Langkawi Island. It also involves a category four climb at Bukit Malut as well as three sprint zones at Harbour Park, Bayas and Padang Matsirat. – Bernama

ENGLISH FA REVIEW SAFETY OF WALLS SIDENETTING

LTdL thrives under MSN

The FA will review the safety of walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League system after former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar died following a significant brain injury while playing for seventh tier side Chichester City. Local media reports said the 21-year old hit his head on a concrete barrier beside the pitch in the Isthmian League Premier Division game last Sunday. He died in hospital on Friday. “We will now conduct an immediate review, working with leagues, clubs and relevant stakeholders across the game, that will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League system,” the English governing body said in a statement yesterday. “This will include looking at ways we can assist National League system clubs to identify and implement additional measures at their stadiums that they determine will help to mitigate any potential safety risks.” Amir Murillo scored late to send Marseille top of Ligue 1 yesterday with a come-from behind 2-1 win over Strasbourg just days after their victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Abdoul Ouattara had put the hosts ahead four minutes after the break but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed the equaliser after 78 minutes. Murillo snatched the win in stoppage time as Roberto De Zerbi’s side continued their positive momentum after snatching their first home league win over PSG in 14 years. The win gave Marseille a timely boost ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game against Ajax Amsterdam and also put them top of the league on goal difference ahead of Monaco, Paris, Lyon and, indeed, Strasbourg who all have 12 points. MARSEILLE TOP LIGUE 1 TABLE

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27/09/2025

… yet organising mandate hangs in the balance

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THREE years ago, the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) faced a massive uphill battle – finan cially, operationally and in public percep tion. Some even questioned whether the 2.ProSeries race still had a place in the nation’s sporting calendar. But under the management of the National Sports Council (MSN) since 2023, LTdL has pedaled into a new dimension. The race is no longer just about elite cyclists on two wheels; it has become a cele bration where Malaysians from all walks of life join in the excitement of the region’s biggest cycling spectacle. This year marks the third and final year of MSN’s contract as organiser, with the future of this partnership still hanging in the balance. LTdL Chief Operating Officer Emir Abdul Jalal said that over three years under MSN, the race has sported a fresh new face, incorporating modern technology such

a lot has changed in terms of race organisa tion. “LTdL now comes with more assets, value-added promotional programmes, competitions for Malaysians along the route, the Voice of LTdL, and even an ama teur ride,” he told Bernama recently. He said MSN’s advantage lies in its non profit orientation, ensuring that every ring git of government funding and sponsorship is fully reinvested to elevate the event’s quality. MSN has also successfully turned around LTdL’s negative image, which was previously marred by technical issues, pay ment delays, and organisational problems that once threatened the reputation of a race that produced global cycling stars. “Whatever the funds, be it government grants or sponsorships, we channel them to make the race more exciting. “If there were issues in previous years, MSN acts as a problem solver. We bring in the latest solutions. So, those outdated criticisms have mostly faded,” he said. Emir added that LTdL is more than just a race; it’s an economic catalyst. The economic spillover, he said, far outweighs government spending. “For example, in 2024, the gov ernment gave us RM12 million and we secured RM12 million in spon sorships. But the economic impact for the people was around RM24 million.

4999 9654 6689 9751 3640

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4893 8456 2490 4719 5522

RM4,879,719.61

1256 + 7598 3873 + 7598 7598 + 3873

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RM132,546.21

as advanced radio com munication systems and LiveU-Starlink based live streaming, making coverage smoother and more cost-effective. “If you look back at the past three years,

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“This helps develop the local economy, contracts for local com panies, hotels, businesses and more,” he said. Despite undeniable suc cess over the past three

RM10,305,578.64

years, the biggest question now is the future of the race’s organising contract. – Bernama

RM100,000.00

LTdL Chief Operating Officer, Emir Abdul Jalal. – BERNAMAPIC

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Kristoff eyes final glory in Malaysia

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Meanwhile, reigning best sprinter (orange jersey) Mateo Malucelli said defending his crown is not his main focus this year. Instead, the Italian is setting his sights on surpassing his performance from last year, when he claimed three stage wins. “The goal is to win some stages and get good results. “If I wear the orange jersey at the end, I’ll be happy,” he said. – Bernama

admitted Malaysia could be the final stop of his decorated career – and the place where he chases his 100th pro victory. “It’s my first time here, and maybe also the last time I’m racing. I saw in the past that many sprinters have won here, and I’m just two victories short of 100 pro wins. “There are good opportunities for sprinters. I will try to grab every chance I can, and we have a good team to achieve something here,” he said.

NORWEGIAN sprint star Alexander Kristoff has hinted he may hang up his bike after making his debut at Le Tour de Langkawi 2025 (LTdL 25). That would draw the curtain on a glittering career spanning three decades, with major victories at Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, and four Tour de France stage wins. Speaking at a press conference today, the 37-year-old Uno-X Mobility rider

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