KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia national team coach Yusof Nasir believes that recovery will play a key role for his riders competing in Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which starts at its namesake island on Sunday (Sept 29).
Yusof said the third, fourth and fifth stages, which all feature climbs of varying difficulties, as well as the seventh stage, which is the longest of the tour, will be challenging.
The third stage from Taiping to Cameron Highlands (170.3 kilometres) and fourth stage from Kuala Kubu Bharu to Bentong (131.2km) feature the toughest climbs and are likely to decide the overall winner of the tour.
The fifth stage from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka (167.3km) also features three categorised climbs while the riders will have to endure a longer transit from Johor to Sarawak prior to the seventh stage which will run from Miri to Bintulu (199.3km).
"The three early stages (three, four and five) will be challenging. There is a concern that our riders may not be able to sufficiently recover," said Yusof recently.
"Right after the long transit, the riders will then have to race about 200km for the seventh stage. Usually in other races abroad, a rest day is given after long transits.
"I have to make sure our riders are able to rest as much as possible after each stage. Nutrition will also play a key role, especially with the unpredictable weather."
Yusof has named the promising Ren Bao Tsen, Abdul Azim Aliyas, Afiq Huznie Othman, Elmi Jumari as well as former Team Sapura Cycling duo Yusri Shaari and Muhsin Al Redha Misbah in his LTdL squad.
The national team is one of three Malaysian sides competing in LTdL this year. The other two are Terengganu Cycling Team and Malaysia Pro Cycling.
The first stage on Sunday will see riders covering 96.5km in Langkawi before moving on to the second stage which starts in Arau and ends in Butterworth (154.5km).