Everything is ready in Malaysia for the Tour de Langkawi which will animate the main island from September 27 to October 4. This year the stage race in the UCI 2.pro category celebrates an important milestone, 30 editions celebrated with an even more challenging route that crosses the east coast of the country. Over eight stages, riders will battle it out on tracks perfect for the sprinters and three mountain finishes.

Despite the race's name, for this edition the race will not be held on the small island of Langkawi, from the northern tip of Gunung Jeral to Batu Pahat instead the entire western part of the main island will be crossed for a total of 1264.8 km. If in previous editions the route was mainly suited to the sprinters, this time the music changes and on paper only two days will be for sprints, three for attackers and three for climbers. However, a bunch sprint is practically guaranteed in the opening stage, from Shah Alam to Kampar is the longest of this edition, but the 193 km on the program present no difficulties. For the peloton it will be a very long day to acclimatize to the tropical heat and humidity typical of Malaysia. The race heats up on the second day with a completely new final climb. From Taiping to Gunung Jerai there are 145.6 km scheduled with a total elevation gain of 1838 meters, but pay attention to the route, the first 135 kilometers are slightly rolling and everything will be decided on the final ascent: 9 km with an average gradient of 10% that will create the first gaps in the general classification.

The general classification contenders will have the opportunity to catch their breath in the very long third stage from Sungai Petani to Kuala Kangsar which could be ideal for a reduced bunch sprint finish. It will be essential to manage energy, however, in view of the fourth and fifth stages which will be crucial for the general classification. It starts with Meru Raya – Cameron Highlands, the queen stage of this edition, 154 km with an elevation gain of 2401 m, the last 45 km are all uphill with the finish at the top of the famous Malaysian climb that features gradients of up to 15%. The fifth stage is much shorter, only 125.7 km from Tapah to Genting Highlands, but it will be necessary to see how the peloton reacts to the effort of the previous day. The first 100 km of this stage are completely flat, the decisive factor will be the final climb with an average gradient of 8%.

The three concluding days of racing do not present major difficulties, the way is clear for puncheurs and sprinters who want to leave their mark in Malaysian territory. Pandan Indah – Rembau with its 121.3 km is the shortest stage on the program, the climbs are all concentrated in the first part of the race and some attackers could take advantage of it. Definitely perfect for the sprinters is the seventh stage starting in Melaka and finishing in Batu Pahat, while the final stage from Muar to Putrajaya could deliver some nice surprises, the finish is undulating and in case of minimal gaps in the general classification someone could attempt to pull off a coup.

Below is the complete list of stages:

1st Stage Shah Alam – Kampar 193 km | Sunday, September 27

2nd Stage Taiping – Gunung Jerai 145.6 km | Monday, September 28

3rd Stage Sungai Petani – Kuala Kangsar 189.7 km | Tuesday, September 29

4th Stage Meru Raya – Cameron Highlands 142.3 km | Wednesday, September 30

5th Stage Tapah – Genting Highlands 125.7 km | Thursday, October 1

6th Stage Pandan Indah – Rembau 121.3 km | Friday, October 2

7th Stage Melaka – Batu Pahat 158.9 km | Saturday, October 3

8th Stage Muar – Putrajaya 188.3 km | Sunday, October 4