KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Spanish ProTeam Burgos-Burpellet BH is set to field a formidable lineup for the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2025 (PLTdL25), leveraging the experience of two former Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) riders, Merhawi Kudus and Jambaljamts Sainbayar. Both riders are well-known to Malaysian cycling fans and are expected to be key assets for the team’s ambitions in the eight-stage race.
The team, making its fourth consecutive appearance at the PLTdL, has submitted a preliminary list of six riders that includes last year’s King of the Mountain polka dot jersey winner, Mario Aparicio Munoz. This strong roster signals that Burgos-BH is aiming for more than just a single victory, according to PLTdL25 Chief Operating Officer, Emir Abdul Jalal. “Based on the list of six riders, the team appears to be aiming for at least three titles in the eight-stage race,” he stated.
A Climbing-Focused Strategy
The strength of the Burgos-BH lineup lies in its abundance of climbing talent. With four experienced climbers on the team—Kudus, Sainbayar, Aparicio, and Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego—the team is expected to challenge for multiple classifications. “It’s no surprise that besides aiming for victories in Stage 3 Gerik-Pasir Puteh and Stage 5 Temerloh-Bukit Fraser, they will also be hunting for the overall individual green jersey, the King of the Mountain polka dot jersey and the overall team classification,” Emir added.
Merhawi Kudus, 31, wore the TSG jersey last year and is a highly respected climber with an impressive resume. His talent previously earned him spots on WorldTour teams Astana (2019-2021) and EF Education (2022-2023), where he competed in the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España. Kudus’s best performance at the PLTdL came in 2014 when he finished second in the overall individual classification.
Jambaljamts Sainbayar, 31, is another accomplished climber who rode for TSG for three years (2021-2023). The Mongolian national champion finished ninth in the overall individual classification at PLTdL22 and achieved numerous successes at the Asian level before joining Burgos-BH last year. His familiarity with the local routes and climate will be a significant advantage.
Retaining the King of the Mountain and Adding Grand Tour Experience
Burgos-BH will also rely on its returning champion, Mario Aparicio, 25, who won the King of the Mountain title at last year’s PLTdL24. Aparicio’s ability to accumulate points on the climbs, which saw him finish six points ahead of the overall individual champion Max Poole, makes him a valuable asset. The team is further strengthened by the presence of Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego, 31, an experienced rider who has competed in the Vuelta a España twice and won its Combativity award.
While the team’s focus is on the mountains, they have also included two sprint specialists: David Martin, 26, and three-time Greek national champion Georgios Bonglas, 35. This balanced roster allows the team to be competitive on various terrains.
With their deep climbing expertise and intimate knowledge of the local racing conditions, Burgos-BH is set to be a major contender. The eight-day, 1,243.5km race, which spans all 12 states in Peninsular Malaysia, will be a test of strategy and endurance, and Burgos-BH appears to have a unique strength that could make them a team to watch throughout the competition.
