Questions Raised After World Body Kicks Out Iconic Le Tour de Langkawi From UCI Calendar
Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), which comes under the National Sports Council, is scheduled to take place from 23 to 30 September.
Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Malaysia's renowned cycling race, faces uncertainty as it was kicked out of this year's international calendar by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world body for sports cycling
LTdL, which comes under the National Sports Council, is scheduled to take place from 23 to 30 September. However, the removal from the UCI international calendar has raised concerns over whether the iconic race will even be held at all, reported New Straits Times yesterday, 27 July.
According to Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Abu Samah Wahab, the world body has taken action against LTdL this year, following complaints from teams over unpaid money.
Human Voyage organised the races in 2019, 2020, and 2022
Abu Samah said that Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd owes more than RM1 million to five participating teams, and that the amount concerns appearance fees and flight tickets.
The five teams complained to UCI against the previous LTdL organiser, Abu Samah said, adding that he had hoped LTdL will only be removed from the UCI calendar next year.
A source revealed that UCI's action stems from unresolved debts, and so far, no payments have been made. LTdL chief operations officer Emir Abdul Jalal declined to comment, reported the English daily.
The payment issue has also posed challenges in securing the participation of WorldTeams for this year's LTdL.
Cyclists passing through the paddy fields in Pendang during Stage 7 of the 25th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi 2020, covering a distance of 130.4km from Bagan to Alor Setar.
Image via Luqman Hakim Zubir/Berita Harian
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