Kuala Lumpur—Due to clashes in schedule and preparation for the 2019 Manila SEA Games next month, the country’s first-ever international stage race cycling race Le Tour de Femina 2019 has been re-scheduled and postponed to new dates, according to the organizers.
The postponement came following notifications from the Malaysian women cycling squad and other South East Asian nations stating that they were unable to take part in the race scheduled from November 16 to 21 due to preparation for the upcoming SEA Games.
Race organisers Ciclista Sports SdnBhdissued a statement today stating that following discussion with event stakeholders including teams from the respective Asean countries, new dates for the race will be fixed in due time after the biennial regional Games.
“We’ve agreed to postpone LTdF 2019 to a new date after deliberating the matter with the management of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) as well as coaches from the Malaysian cycling team,” said Ciclista Chief Executive Officer Shahirudeen Seen today.
According to Shahirudeen, the national cycling squad coach has informed the organisers that their teams will not be able to participate should the race be held from 16 to 21 November. This is to ensure that it would not disrupt their focus and intensive preparation for the Manila Games which is set on December 1 to 10.
Teams from other Southeast Asian nations have also informed the organisers on their inavailability should the race be held on the said dates.
Cycling were among the main gold medal contributors for the national team in the last edition of SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.
Shahirudeen said that preparation for LTdF will resume as planned, adding that the organisers would ensure that the race is held as planned.
LTdF2019 is designed to cover a total distance of 719.9km and organised by Ciclista Sports SdnBhd in collaboration with KBS and MNCF, with the aim of empowering women in sports as well as making Malaysia as one of the major cycling hubs for women in the region.