Competing are 21 teams comprising five Pro Tour teams, five Pro Continental teams, seven Continental teams and three National teams.
The race for the coveted yellow jersey is being led by Orica-GreenEDGE’s Dutch star Pieter Weening, last year’s runner-up who lost out on the overall victory to Colombian Julian David Arredondo, by a minute and 15 seconds and will surely be back with a vengeance to go a step higher this time around.
The appearance of two of the biggest teams in the world, Katusha from Russia and Tinkoff-Saxo from Denmark and Team Colombia certainly adds spice to the already hot reception awaiting cycling fans throughout the world.
The race is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as a 2.HC (hors category) race on the UCI Asia Tour calendar, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, via the National Sports Council (NSC) in association with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).
The 19th edition of the race is marked not only by its start from its legendary birthplace, but also a challenging route which features a climb up Genting Highlands hill resort, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital.
One of the region’s top cycling events, the annual race which flagged off in Langkawi, will cover an extensive 1,507.9km across Peninsular Malaysia, and finish at Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu, on the east coast.
The highlight of the tour is expected to be the 3rd stage which features the Genting Highlands climb and pitch two renowned climbers Fabio Duarte (Team Colombia) and Pieter Weening (Orica-GreenEDGE).
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