Le Tour de Langkawi 2010

I can say that this is really my first serious try on sports photography. I have to admit sport photography is so challenging. You need to be prepared for HOT !! weather, dehydration and lots of patience. My respect to all sports photojournalist.
LTdL 2010 Stage 7 the final stage starts from Kuala Kubu Baru and finishes in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. The stage ends with 6 laps around an 11km circuit that goes through Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Sultan Ismail. These roads are the most lively areas in the city.

Arrived at 10.30am to survey the surroundings and to find a good action spot.

On standby...

Choose my spot here, where the peloton will make a sprint along Sultan Abdul Samad Building and turn left in to Leboh Pasar Besar

Bomba arrives, water will be sprayed at cyclist once the race ends to cool everyone down

All ready for action...the peloton will arrive anytime

Police making one final round to clear the circuit

Marshall arrives...final laps of LTdL 2010 has begun

After patiently waiting under the afternoon sun for 2 hours...sight of the first cyclist from the peloton arrives

 

The peloton sweeps pass me with a gust of wind...the only time I felt some cool breeze. HOT HOT HOT!!

  

I choose a different spot after shooting for two laps at Leboh Pasar Besar

See far right...policeman trying to get a street vendor selling water up to the walkway..

Le Tour de Langkawi = HOT = WATER = H20

   

Moved further up to the final sprint after the announcement of final 2 laps

100m sprint

 Pilots for the peloton comes in for the final lap

 The only time where you can go the opposite direction on a main road

  

 Towards the final lap

Could not get anymore photos after the final lap...only media allowed to enter the finishing line and podium area.

The whole race finished around 3pm. With some good shoots in the bag and exhausted legs, dehydration, hungry...it was time to go home. See ya next year 2011.
To see more photos of the final stage and prize presentation go to  http://www.ltdl.com.my/