Tinkoff-Saxo is heading to the eight-stage Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia starting on March 8. Young climbers Edward Beltran and Jesper Hansen will get the chance to prove themselves on the new and more undulating route of Langkawi, which has traditionally favored the sprinters.
 
With the stars of Tinkoff-Saxo racing in Europe, the team’s participation in Malaysia makes way for other riders to see action as well as proving themselves, tells sports director Tristan Hoffman.
 
“We have two important programs in Europe coming ahead with Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico and we will use Langkawi as a way to have the remaining riders take part in a race. It's important that they race in this period of the year”.

Besides Edward Beltran and Jesper Hansen, the team is fielding Bruno Pires, Pavel Brutt as well as Michael Kolar and Nikolay Trusov, who will be targeting the sprints.
 
“As for the GC, we have two young riders, Beltran and Hansen, and we would like to see them try for the GC. Many of the stages are flat except for stage seven that finishes on the Genting Highlands with a serious climb to 1,650m, while stage three and six also features a hilly parcours”, says Tristan Hoffman and continues:
 
“Then, we have Kolar and Trusov for the sprints. Kolar is getting back into full form after struggling a bit with illness and Trusov is in good shape as well. These are the two riders that will do the sprints. We’ll decide who will do the lead out and who will spearhead the sprint depending on who feels the best on the day”.
 
Tough tropical conditions
Jesper Hansen, 24 year old, who is doing his second season in the WorldTour, looks forward to representing the team’s GC ambitions at Langkawi.
 
“I’m focused on giving my best and doing a good job for my team. I also rode Langkawi last year, where I felt well on the traditional queen stage of the race to Genting Highlands. It looks like this stage will once again decide the GC, so Beltran and I will have to stay at the front, be aware of breakaways and do our best on the final 19.6km climb”, explains Jesper Hansen.

Tour of Langkawi is known and dreaded for its tropical temperatures and humidity, which can zap a rider’s energy, if dehydration sets in.
 
“It’s a tough race due to the climate. Last year, we rode in 40° C throughout the race with a high humidity. Hydration is absolutely essential, so it’s normal to see everybody drinking 10 bottles per stage. And it’s just as important to be in good shape in order to cope with the conditions. I got some really important speed into the legs at Tour of Qatar, so I’m looking forward to getting started”, adds the young Dane.
 
For this year’s edition, the race has been brought down from ten to eight, slightly shorter stages to allow for more intense racing. With only six riders per squad, it is therefore crucial to stay alert, underlines Tristan Hoffman.
 
“It might be less demanding, but it will not be much easier, since the shorter stages will be raced at a faster pace. We have to be careful with the big breakaways and be present in them. With the teams being smaller and consisting of only six riders, we have to be ready to go into the breakaway. If you want to protect a few riders it is important to be there, since you don't have many riders to pull at the front”, concludes Hoffman.