Wednesday February 20, 2013
Synergy dare to dream in their LTdL debut
By SHAMSHUL FITRI
LANGKAWI: New kids on the block Synergy Baku Cycling Project team are hoping to get at least a stage win in the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which kicks off tomorrow from Kangar to Kulim.
Barely two months after their formation, the team, who have former Sky Procycling rider Jeremy Hunt as the sporting director, are pinning their hopes on former points competition winner Anuar Manan to deliver.
“The team’s objective is to win at least one stage ... we want to show our jersey on the podium,” said Hunt, who won a LTdL stage in 2008 with Credit Agricole.
The team, who have the backing of Azerbaijan cycling federation, feature Rico Rogers (New Zealand), Kirill Pozdnyakov (Russia), Dan Craven
(Namibia), John Ebsen (Denmark) and David Clarke in the LTdL.
Anuar spent two weeks in Melbourne to train with Rogers and also took part in several amateur races.
Anuar made history when he became the first Malaysian to win a stage in 2010 en route to winning the points competition with team Geumsan Ginseng Asia.
“My aim is to win the points competition again,” said Anuar.
“It will be hard in the presence of top Pro Tour team but I will try my best.”
Meanwhile, Hunt said, Anuar will get enough support in the sprints in their bid to win a stage on their debut season.
He said there will be plenty of chances for mass sprint finishes in the race as the ProTour teams will have control of the race to reel in any breakaways.
“Anuar will have the support when the time comes.
“He will have Rico who was with him in Melbourne and a few other riders to look after him.
“He will have a leadout for the sprint ... we will work something for him and it would be up to him to win,” said Hunt.
The LTdL will finish in Kuala Terengganu on March 2.
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