Izzat targets last-chance LTdL podium after top Malaysian finish

Batu Pahat: Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil has a final opportunity to achieve his dream of reaching the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) podium, after missing out on a home finish on Saturday. The Malaysian Pro Cycling rider secured the top position for his home nation in Stage 7, covering 158.9km from Melaka to Batu Pahat, finishing a solid 16th overall.

Izzat described the race as fast-paced, with early attacks leading to a breakaway group of four riders. Though they were almost caught, they managed to hold on until the end. Izzat aimed to secure the top Asian rider position, but lost focus at the final bend. There is still one stage left, and the race's outcome remains uncertain.

Izzat's dream of standing on the LTdL podium, which he set since 2023, has so far gone unfulfilled, but his previous fourth-place finishes in two previous editions keep him optimistic about achieving third and second places. The final stage, Stage 8, will see Izzat race 188.3km from Muar to Putrajaya, featuring three sprint zones and a climb zone. His best LTdL finishes include a fourth place in Stage 1 in 2023 and Stage 6 in 2025.