PROTON will once again be in the thick of the action when the 17th edition of cycling’s prestigious Le Tour de Langkawi 2012 kicks off later this month.Extending its support and sponsorship for the 17th successive year, the national car manufacturer today presented a mock-key and the symbolic Blue Jersey to the organizer of the Le Tour de Langkawi 2012 at a brief ceremony held at the PROTON Centre of Excellence in Subang Jaya. PROTON has been a sponsor of the prestigious international race for the last 16 years since it was first held in 1996. This year’s sponsorship of the tour will be of a fleet of vehicles, as well as in terms of technical support, maintenance, manpower and merchandise giveaways during the cavalcade.
The PROTON cavalcade is a procession of vehicles that will proceed ahead of the main racing peloton in promoting the tour. Proton vehicles to be used throughout the tour include variants of the Inspira and Saga, the Exora, Persona, Perdana and Satria Neo. PROTON will also be setting up promotional and sales booths at the various stops throughout the tour.
This is the third consecutive year PROTON is sponsoring the Blue Jersey which will be worn by the tour’s overall Sprint Champion.
Le Tour de Langkawi 2012 has attracted a total of 120 cyclists representing 22 local and top international professional teams who will compete in a grueling 1414.8km stretched over 10 days. This year’s race will also see the teams being flagged at the PROTON Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam for Stage 6 which is a challenging 108km charge to the peak of Genting Highlands. A win in this Stage is also the most sought-after by the cyclists as it is the most challenging route throughout the race.
The tour starts with 20.3km individual time trial around Putrajaya on 24 February 2012 before taking competitors through Melaka, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and ending on 4 March 2012 in Kuala Terengganu.
