RI team named for Tour de Langkawi

RI team named for Tour de Langkawi

JAKARTA (JP): The West Java chapter of the Indonesian Cycling
Association has announced the six cyclists who will represent the
country in the Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia next month.

The team will be Tonton Susanto, Amin Sunarya, Agus, Egi
Hariman, Cecep Erfiandi and Eggi Erin Ismail.

Association official Teddy Rahmat said yesterday that the six
were chosen from a squad of nine following a three-day selection
process in Garut, West Java.

"The Tour's organizer only allowed six cyclists so we had to
drop Deni Sudradjat, Ryan Arikan and Memet. We were also told
that we could only send three officials to the race. We have yet
to decide who," Teddy said, as quoted by Antara.

From Jan. 25 to Jan. 27 the nine cyclists took part in a 30-
kilometer individual time trial, an open road race and an
undulating open road race.

The Tour de Langkawi is expected to feature cyclists from
Europe and East and Southeast Asia. Japan, the Philippines,
Thailand, Indonesia and host Malaysia are among the participants.

Teddy said the Malaysian race, which has 12 stages, was very
tough.

"Before the six cyclists compete in the Langkawi race, they
will do some more training in Bandung. We want to ascertain their
form," Teddy said.

Tatang Pridasa, of the association's main office, hoped that
the cyclists would fulfill their potential. "The race will be
good experience for the cyclists."

As to the team's funding, Teddy said the association was still
looking for money.

"It is difficult to get funds when Indonesia is facing
financial crisis," Teddy said. He declined to state the amount
needed. (lnt)