Total of 22 squads announced for expanding race

Featuring the best lineup in a long time, the organisers of Le Tour de Langkawi have confirmed that five WorldTour teams will be amongst the field when the race begins in exactly one month’s time.



Garmin – Sharp and Astana are returning after racing there last year, while Omega Pharma Quick Step has now been added to the lineup, as well as the previously-confirmed Orica GreenEdge and Blanco Pro Cycling (former Rabobank).



“Our event hasn’t reached that number of teams representing the World Tour since 2007,” said the race’s chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal. “Adding to the quality of Pro Continental teams like Europcar coming with Pierre Rolland, we clearly have the best start list of the past decade.



“Now it’s up to the cyclists to deliver the show and to the riders of lower levelled teams to challenge the stars of the Pro Teams.”



The race has been making steady progression and growth in recent years and is one of the top early season events. In 2012 Garmin-Sharp and Astana lined out and according to Emir Abdul Jalal, their request to return reflects well on the organisation.



“Their second enrolment back to back is meaningful to us,” he said. “It clearly shows that they’ve appreciated the quality of our organization. They have reiterated their long-term commitment to LTdL.”



At the same time, he notes that there has been a push by teams to be able to take part, with those squads being far more proactive than before. This too is interpreted as a sign of approval. “While in the past it was up to us to contact the teams, some of them have questioned us about their possible participation to our race this year,” he said. “We’re sorry for the bidding teams of different categories and origins we couldn’t accommodate this time around but we’re delighted with the field we’ll be able to present to Malaysian fans.”



Emir Abdul Jalal told VeloNation in the past that the race wanted to step up to the WorldTour level in the future. The increase in quality of the participating teams continues the progression towards that goal.



This year’s race will be preceded by a circuit event on Langkawi island on February 20th. It will then begin in Kangar on February 21st and will run for ten stages.



The race outcome is likely to be decided by summit finishes at Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.





Tour de Langkawi 2013 – confirmed teams:



WorldTour:



Garmin Sharp (GRS) - USA

Astana Pro Team (AST) - KAZ

Orica GreenEdge (OGE) - AUS

Blanco Pro Cycling Team (BLA) - NED

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team (OPQ) - BEL



Pro Continental:



Vini Fantini (VIN) - GBR

Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team (UHC) - USA

Champion System Pro Cycling Team (CSS) - CHN

Team Europcar (EUC) - FRA

Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela (AND) - ITA

MTN - Qhubeka (MTN) – RSA



Continental:



Tabriz Petrochemical Team (TPT) - IRI

RTS Racing Team (RTS) - TPE

Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) - MAS

OCBC Singapore Continental Cycling Team (TSI) - SIN

Team Nippo (PPO) - JPN

Aisan Racing Team (AIS) - JPN

KSPO (KSP) - KOR

Hengxiang Cycling Team (HEN) - CHN

Synergy - Baku Cycling Project

National Malaysia National Cycling Federation

Indonesia National Team