Cycling/Le Tour de Langkawi: High praise from UCI’s McQuaid

06 Feb 2007
THE International Cycling Union (UCI), under pressure over the spate of controversies that have surrounded the Pro Tour in Europe, is leaving it up to the Malaysian Government to decide whether Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) would be part of its globalisation plans for the fledgling series.UCI president Pat McQuaid yesterday stated his satisfaction with the new organisation of LTdL under the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) this year, even stating that the level of the event shows that the country is ready to be part of the Pro Tour expansion.

But as the first three years of the Pro Tour calendar have seen a never-ending squabble between the governing body and organisers of major races in Europe, eventually leading to the three Grand Tours — the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana — pulling out of the calendar this year, it leaves a big question mark as to the future of LTdL.Latest on the cards should the Pro Tour be moved out of Europe are Malaysia's LTdL and Australia's Tour Down Under, both of which are currently hors categorie races on UCI continental calendars and McQuaid had nothing but good words for the organisation of LTdL.

"The race had a couple of troubled years, but it is a very good race and an important race to the UCI. It is a wonderful gesture in which the Government recognised this fact that this race is beneficial to their objectives," said McQuaid. Pro Tour status would mean the organisers are required to include all 20 Pro Tour teams, with just wildcard entries available for teams outside that division. The LTdL's current status as part of the UCI Asia Tour means the organisers will be able to allocate more places to lower ranked teams.