Politics aside, top Malaysian bike squad joins 2013 Le Tour

TERENGGANU Cycling Team, one of the highest-ranked teams in Asia, will race in the 2013 Le Tour de Filipinas despite the ongoing political turmoil between the Philippines and Malaysia.

The Malaysia-based continental team has confirmed its participation along with 13 other foreign cycling clubs in the four-day bikathon sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale or UCI on April 13 to 16.

“We’re very pleased to have them (Malaysian riders) here,” said Gary Cayton, head of Dynamic Outsource Solutions 1, the organizer of the race.  “Let’s set aside politics. This is a cycling event and the third time they’ll be joining the race.”

Malaysia begged off in the ongoing Asian Youth Boxing Championship and recently canceled a friendly with the Philippine Azkals due to the political tension spawned by the Sabah crisis.

Terengganu is the team to watch in the race set to kick off in Ilocos Norte.

Six local teams have signed up: The national team, Navy Standard Insurance, LPGMA-American Vinyl, LBC-MVPSF Cycling Pilipinas, Team 7-Eleven/Road Bike Philippines and Marines Cycling.

“Hosting the only UCI race in the country has been full of obstacles. But these are crucial steps for our riders to make it in the big Tours and Olympics,” said Air21 chair Bert Lina in yesterday’s press conference at Manila Hotel.