Cycling: Change in 2024 LTdL route

KUALA LUMPUR: The Stage 4 route of the 2024 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) cycling race from Kuala Kubu Baru to Genting Highlands will now be from Kuala Kubu Baru to Bentong, covering a distance of 148.9km.

The National Sports Council (NSC) said they decided to change the route due to safety factors as road and slope improvement works will be carried out along the Genting Highlands route during the race dates from Sept 29-Oct 6.

“By choosing to use the 148.9km route from Kuala Kubu Bharu to Bentong, there will be no changes to the preparations being made by those handling the flag-off and race-end based on the announcement made during the launch of the 2024 LTdL on March 18.

“The organisers will try to retain the concept of back-to-back mountain climbs in Stage 3 (Taiping to Cameron Highlands) and Stage 4 of the 2024 LTdL. Stage 4 should see the riders begin their ascent at KM20 to KM40 on Jalan Gap-Bukti Fraser before climbing to the top of Bukit Fraser at a height of 1,250 metres,” NSC said in a statement today.

The stage is set to provide an additional challenge to the riders, who will not only have to be great climbers but also adopt the right tactical and technical moves, in addition to having the skills to ride downhill to accumulate the maximum time gap en route to completing the remaining 70km of flat road to Bentong.

The 28th edition of the most prestigious cycling race in Asia will see Langkawi back on the list of race routes, which will also see two stages held in Sarawak for the first time – BK.

The eight stages 1,227.2km race are:

Stage 1: Sept 29 (Sunday) – Kuah to Kuah (96.5 km)

Stage 2: Sept 30 (Monday) – Arau to Butterworth (154.5 km)

Stage 3: Oct 1 (Tuesday) – Taiping to Cameron Highland (170.3 km)

Stage 4: Oct 2 (Wednesday) – Kuala Kubu Bharu to Bentong (148.9 km)

Stage 5: Oct 3 (Thursday) – Kuala Lumpur to Melaka (167.3 km)

Stage 6: Oct 4 (Friday) – Batu Pahat to Kulai (123.6 km)

Stage 7: Oct 5 (Saturday) – Miri to Bintulu (199.3 km)

Stage 8: Oct 6 (Sunday) – Bintulu to Bintulu/Loop (166.8 km)

— BK