LTdL 2027 To Be Held On Oct 3-10, Between SEA Games And Para ASEAN

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The dates for the prestigious cycling race, Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2027, have been 'locked in' for Oct 3 to 10, following the official finalisation of the slot in the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar.

LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal said this scheduling means the 31st edition will take place between two major biennial regional games hosted by Malaysia, immediately after the 2027 SEA Games (Sept 18-29) and before the start of the 2027 ASEAN Para Games (Oct 17-23).

"These dates have been confirmed in the UCI calendar, falling after the SEA Games and during the transition period leading up to the Para Games. We are right in the middle of it, and next year is indeed packed with sporting events. Moving straight from the SEA Games to LTdL means the National Sports Council (NSC) staff will have their hands full, but it serves as excellent promotion for the country," he told reporters yesterday.

Commenting on the potential participation of more WorldTeam-status squads and elite global cyclists for the 2027 edition, he explained that the key factor determining the entry of these top teams depends entirely on the availability of financial allocations.

To realise this goal, efforts to secure sponsorship funds will be initiated immediately rather than waiting until the last minute to ensure that the situation of missing out on major teams does not happen again.

"If given the opportunity to start early, we could begin by securing sponsorships first. With greater financial resources, we would have more options and could approach planning from various perspectives.

"Efforts to secure sponsorships need to begin early, immediately after the race report is finalised. If I am given the chance to continue in this role, I would immediately initiate the sponsorship programme so that we can prepare well in advance," he said.

Regarding route planning for 2027, organisers are considering a proposal to bring the race route back to East Coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu, in keeping with the tradition of alternating between the East and West Coasts.

"Next year, we might need to head to the East Coast. Although there is no mandatory agreement within LTdL, we have historically alternated between the East Coast and the West Coast."

"We are also taking into account fans in Kelantan and Terengganu who are surely awaiting their states' turn to host," he said.

Emir emphasised that route selection requires in-depth study covering aspects such as road logistics, hotel availability, and safe finish locations and cannot be decided merely through desk-based planning.

Organisers also intend to retain the Gunung Jerai climb in the next edition, given the positive feedback from cyclists who appreciated the level of difficulty, provided the move receives ministerial approval.

Regarding the potential to host the event in Sabah and Sarawak, he believes the ideal approach is to hold the race entirely within Borneo; this would allow for the efficient optimization of logistics costs which run into the millions of ringgit while also ensuring the safety of the operations crew.

To strengthen the sports tourism element, Emir welcomes the prospect of renewing the strategic partnership with Tourism Malaysia, while deferring the decision on the involvement of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to the government's consideration.

-- BERNAMA