Shinichi says Asian teams are stamping their mark
NST, 18/2/2008

ASIAN cycling, according to Shinichi Fukushima (pic), is beginning to find its footing on the world stage and the arrival of more teams posing a threat to the dominance of European teams in the 13th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which ended yesterday, is testament to that.

Shinichi, 37, completed his first ever Asian riders' classification win in LTdL, but was disappointed with his 11th overall position in the general classification. He insisted that Asian teams are beginning to show their true colours in world cycling.

"For me, I represent Asia and as the best Asian, I'm only 11th overall. In that sense, I'm disappointed. But to win this jersey finally, I'm happy," said Shinichi of the Meitan Hompo-GDR team.

"But on the other hand, we have to look at the rising Asian teams in this race, the teams that gave the best European teams a fight like Le Tua and Seoul City. These are new teams coming up and they're good for Le Tour de Langkawi and is a good sign for Asian cycling."

The Japanese veteran also reserved special mention for his team's Malaysian climber Ng Yong Li, thanking the Batu Pahat-born rider for the work he did to ensure the team regained the blue jersey that had been lost to Seoul City's Park Sung Baek.

"He really did a good job in the Fraser's Hill stage and he really helped me get back into the lead. Yong Li is a good climber, but he is inexperienced, so racing with us in Europe will help him improve. I believe he will one day be a winner of the LTdL's mountain stage," said Shinichi, who also denied he has ever thought about retirement despite his age.

"I think next year, I will be back in LTdL."

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