BUKIT JALIL — With a few days to go before the start of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), the anticipation is palpable, and some of the 22 participating teams are scrambling to fine-tune their rider lineups to optimise their race strategy.
The ProSeries race’s chief operation officer Emir Abdul Jalal revealed that at least two World Teams have undertaken some last-minute roster adjustments.
“Astana Qazaqstan Team has replaced Michele Gazzoli with Leonardo Basso, while EF Education EasyPost has subbed in Odd Christian Eiking for Georg Steinhauser.
“Eiking made his name in 2021 when he held the Vuelta a Espana red jersey for seven stages, that is an amazing achievement for a rider to hold onto the best rider jersey for that long.
“He is one of the big names that will make an appearance at this year’s LTdL,” said Emir when met at the National Sports Council (NSC) recently.
Norwegian Eiking eventually relinquished the red jersey to Primoz Rogli from Team Jumbo-Visma who went on to win the Grand Tour event.
Emir admits that these eleventh-hour adjustments have not been without their logistical challenges for the teams.
He added the organisers have no choice but to accommodate the roster shuffle as teams can make changes up to 72 hours before the team managers meeting tomorrow.
“From my point of view, these changes were made because of team strategy, because there is no news that Steinhauser or Gazzoli is injured.
“For Astana, I’m not sure what their play is but for EF Education they are including a rider that is of a strong calibre,” said Emir.
For the Asian teams, Emir said they have run into a hiccup with one team whom he did not name.
Apparently, the team had personally purchased their tickets, and upon arrival at the airport, the registered rider did not match the one who had shown up.
Emir reassured that they are actively resolving the situation and that logistical complications will be avoided since the team opted to handle their travel arrangements independently.
However, Emir stressed that any further changes to their rider lineup must be made before the impending deadline. — September 21, 2023