Le Tour de Langkawi race guide

We take a closer look at the route as Team Sky make their first trip to Malaysia to take on this unique stage race.

Preview of the 20th edition

A unique challenge in the cycling calendar, Team Sky head to Southeast Asia to tackle Le Tour de Langkawi (8-15 March).

Team Sky’s make their first trip to Malaysia with a squad for all eventualities. Ian Boswell, Philip Deignan, Nathan Earle, Sebastian Henao, Danny Pate and Chris Sutton make up the six.

The race has a reputation as a sprinters’ paradise but it will ultimately be a climber who wins the event, with honours to be decided with a trip into the Titiwangsa Mountains and Genting Highlands.

For 2015 the race drops two days from 10 to eight, but could produce a more rounded event with the sprinters having to work hard for their victories.

With the race limiting squads to six riders per team the action will be difficult to control, with humidity also playing a key role across the lengthy race.

Stages

Sunday 8 March – stage one: Langkawi, 99.2km

The only stage to take place on the island of Langkawi itself, this opening blast takes the peloton on a comprehensive anti-clockwise tour, taking in three fourth-category climbs. Despite that nothing less than a bunch sprint is expected, with a twisty run-in before a straight final kilometre in Pantai Cenang.

Monday 9 March – stage two: Alor Setar – Sungai Petani, 185km

The entire race travels across the water to mainland Malaysia for the remainder of the event. Rolling terrain will make the sprinters work for their bunch kick on stage two. A pair of fourth-cat climbs in the final third of the stage will require vigilance, but a flat final run-in should see the lead-out trains regroup ahead of the flamme rouge.

Tuesday 10 March – stage three: Gerik – Tanah Merah, 170km

A precursor to climbing tests to come, stage three takes the riders out of Gerik and straight into the Titiwangsa mountain range. A second-category ramp, followed by the 1006m focal point should see the peloton in need of a regroup. Roughly 100km of downhill and flat terrain should provide ample opportunity to do just that, with a sprint again the likely outcome.

Wednesday 11 March – stage four: Kota Bharu – Kuala Berang, 165.4km

The riders head south-east along the coast in search of another likely sprint finish. Short, sharp rises punctuate the second half of the stage, with a final ramp crested ahead of the final 5km. Providing the sprinters have brought their climbing legs there should still be plenty around at the finish as the race enters Terengganu.

Thursday 12 March – stage five: Kuala Terengganu – Kuantan, 200km

The longest stage of the race at 200 kilometres, day five hugs the coast tightly with a parcours which could prove difficult to control. Wind will be a constant consideration, as will a series of jagged climbs, including a steep uncategorised ramp close to the finish in Kuantan. Attacks are almost guaranteed ahead of an intriguing run-in.

Friday 13 March – stage six: Maran – Karak, 96.6km

A short stage should provide explosive action on a parcours which could see time gaps open up among the lead contenders. A day of rest in Malaysia necessitates the short test, but constant undulations will make life difficult for the peloton, especially with the queen stage looming large.

Saturday 14 March – stage seven: Shah Alam – Genting Highlands, 105.7km

The day that should decide the GC. All eyes will be on the famous beyond-category climb to the hill resort of Genting Highlands. The only summit finish of the race, the climb stands at 1625m and will blow the race apart. One of the toughest climbs in pro cycling, the road winds up from Genting Sempah, with a brief descent making it appear less painful on paper. Expect fireworks.

Sunday 15 March - stage eight: Kuala Kubu Bharu – Kuala Lumpur Loop, 96.1km

The race comes to a close with a short, sprint blast into Kuala Lumpur. After a brief climb at Selayang, five laps of the 6.6km finishing circuit bring the action to a close. Yet another chance for the sprinters, the finish should be hotly contested.