A Tour to savour as big guns set for grand ride

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

The 30th Le Tour de Langkawi will take place from September 27 to October 4, featuring 20 international teams competing on a route highlighted by challenging mountain climbs, including the new "mini Genting" segment. With increased points for climbs and top climbers like Geoffrey Bouchard participating, the race is poised to be a fiercely contested event, especially for the King of the Mountains competition.

The 30th edition of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) is set to take place from September 27 to October 4, featuring some of the top cycling talent from around the world. The race will commence in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, and conclude in Putrajaya, with organizers reporting that preparations are nearly complete.

Emir Abdul Jalal, the chief operating officer of LTdL, expressed confidence in delivering a high-quality event, noting that the tour is "95% prepared." He highlighted that LTdL is one of the few races, alongside the Tour de France, to include significant mountain climbs, a feature that has attracted several elite riders and teams prioritizing strong climbers.

A total of 20 international teams have confirmed their participation, most of which are fielding at least two climbing specialists. The defending champions, TotalEnergies Pro Cycling from France, have opted to send a full squad of climbers, aiming to defend their standings, particularly in the King of the Mountains competition.

This year’s route includes a new segment referred to as the “mini Genting” climb at Gunung Jerai during Stage 2. This addition complements the already challenging hilltop finishes at Cameron Highlands in Stage 4 and Genting Highlands in Stage 5. Organizers have also increased the points awarded for the main climbs from 15 to 25, raising the stakes for riders vying for the King of the Mountains title. Emir Abdul Jalal emphasized that competitors must perform consistently in these mountainous stages to contend for the polka-dot jersey.

Among the notable participants is Geoffrey Bouchard of TeamEnergies, a recognized climber who has previously won King of the Mountains titles at major Grand Tours, including the 2019 Vuelta a España and the 2021 Giro d’Italia. Bouchard is expected to be a strong contender in this year’s mountain classifications.

Local representation will come from the Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), Malaysia Pro Cycling Team (MPC), and the Malaysian National Team, with their official rosters scheduled to be announced shortly.

Organizers are optimistic that the inclusion of high-profile mountain challenges and a competitive field will attract significant spectator interest throughout the race’s various stages, positioning the 30th Le Tour de Langkawi as a significant event on the international cycling calendar.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.