SHAH ALAM: Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli plans to adopt a “save strength” strategy during the early climbing stages before launching aggressive attacks in the remaining legs of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2026, which begins tomorrow.
The 27-year-old rider aims to execute breakaways all the way to the finish line in Stage Six (Pandan Indah-Rembau), Stage Seven (Melaka-Batu Pahat) and Stage Eight (Muar-Putrajaya).
“So this year there are indeed three climbing stages, so the plan for those three climbing days is that Aiman will just finish them, Aiman won’t push too hard to avoid exceeding the time limit.
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“So Aiman will save energy for stages six, seven and eight like that and try to do a breakaway until the finish, not just any breakaway,” he told reporters during the riders’ press conference at a hotel here today.
The runner-up in Stage Seven (Melaka-Medini) in the previous edition is also eyeing an opportunity to achieve success in the final stage in Putrajaya.
For tomorrow’s opening stage from Shah Alam to Kampar, he did not rule out the possibility of chasing the King of the Mountains (KOM) jersey or the Best Asian Rider title should an opportunity arise for an early move.
“Like last year, Aiman really targeted that stage and did his absolute best. That last stage also started near Aiman’s hometown and hopefully Aiman’s family came to support. After that, won in Putrajaya.
“For tomorrow’s stage, if there is a chance for a breakaway, Aiman wants to try to hold the KOM or whatever, even just to wear it. Even though for the second stage we know it goes uphill and ends at Gunung Jerai, which is definitely not Aiman’s specialty for climbing… tomorrow is open for whoever wants to wear the Asian jersey or whatever. The target is both, Asian and KOM. If the yellow jersey happens, that’s okay too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) rider Muhammad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil described this 30th edition as one of the most challenging of his career due to the hilly route profile.
“So like Stage Three from Sungai Petani to Kuala Kangsar, there’s also Baling early on with the hills. So that stage I think I will try my best as well so as not to exceed the time limit,” he said.
The 30-year-old rider said he would focus his chances on bunch sprint finishes, especially in tomorrow’s first stage.
“As for my target, it’s the bunch sprint stages. Meaning the first stage, if it’s a bunch, people say these foreigners might also experience jet lag, with those types of things I will take advantage from there too.
“After that, stages seven and eight also have bunch sprint opportunities, but it would be even sweeter if for Stage Seven in Batu Pahat, in my hometown, if I can get on the podium, alhamdulillah. I will try my best,” he said.
Izzat Hilmi also said that MPC is aiming for the Best Asian Rider title and to finish in the top 10 of the overall team classification.