KUALA LUMPUR – After a successful debut last year, L’Étape Malaysia is set to make a return from July 7 to 8 at the sun-kissed shores of Desaru Coast, with a host of latest upgrades to give cycling enthusiasts a big mission to fulfil when the Tour De France race model gets underway.
Last year’s participation of 4,700 cyclists made L’Étape Malaysia officially recognised as the world’s second-largest L’Étape by Tour De France.
Organised in more than 20 countries, this year’s edition has seen over 2,500 participants sign up so far, and organisers are confident of securing 4,000 entries before the closing date of June 9.
This year’s L’Étape will consist of five racing categories, including The Race (140km), and The Ride (60km), made up of individual men and women, as well as the men’s and women’s team of 5 riders each.
A new limited Elite category will be introduced this year exclusively for participants who want to challenge themselves like the pros, which will include professional race services such as dedicated mobile feeding, professional timing chips, and dedicated traffic and logistics support.
In a statement, co-organisers Muse Group Asia and KPRJ Sports have taken the past year’s complaints into consideration and pledged to stage a more comprehensive experience, including implementing a more advanced timing chip technology to ensure more precise finishing times.
Racers can also expect a different challenge this year with a new route introduced at Desaru Coast, with the 60km and 140km race routes separated so they do not overlap, allowing cyclists to fully focus on finishing with their best personal time.
Even the water stations will be different this time around, as they will no longer be stationed by the road shoulder but will instead be transformed into a rest and relaxation area for participants to stop by and fuel up.
Participants would now have to turn away from the racecourse for their break, and this will ultimately decrease the possibility of a pile-up, especially among first-timers who are not accustomed to the water station stops.
Meanwhile, last year’s male champion Elmi Juhari and female winner Yeong Zhen Yi will represent Malaysia at the L’Étape Du Tour De France, which will take place the same week as L’Étape Johor.
They are set to compete at the highest level in “Wave 0”, comprising all the winners from the L’Étape races across the globe.
“We wanted the selected cyclists to experience the best of L’Etape, and we are honoured to send them to the prestigious L’Étape Du Tour De France,” said Muse Group Asia chief executive officer Riduwan Matni.
Ambassador of France to Malaysia Axel Cruau said he is looking forward to everyone converging once again for this iconic event.
“Since 1903, Le Tour De France has been so much more than a cycling race. It is a competition that tests the human limits and takes place in the unique landscapes of France, and yet it is a show that the whole world can enjoy,
“It is part of our national heritage that we are thrilled to share in Johor with our Malaysian friends,” he said. – The Vibes, May 11, 2023
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