Shimano Singapore is pleased to announce that Malaysian road cyclist Loh Sea Keong has been selected to join Team Argos-Shimano for the 2014 season. Loh will be a part of the professional Dutch cycling team which competes at the top level of cycling as an International Cycling Union (UCI) ProTeam. Loh will make history as the first South-East Asian to join a ProTeam.
“Shimano Singapore is always looking to develop South-East Asian cyclists and cycling culture by giving them a chance to participate at a higher level,” said Eugene Koh, Assistant Director of Shimano Singapore. “Based on his past results and a positive attitude, we could really see the potential in Sea Keong and therefore have made the recommendation of him to the team.”
Loh Sea Keong first entered the world of professional cycling in 2006 riding for the Marco Polo Cycling Team and earned valuable racing experience both in Europe and Asia. After 6 years with Marco Polo, he joined the OCBC Singapore Continental Cycling Team in 2012 and 2013. In this year’s Jelajah Malaysia, Loh Sea Keong made history by becoming the first Malaysian to win overall general classification in an UCI categorized stage race.
“Being selected for the team is an amazing honor and opportunity, I want to thank all the people helped me to achieve this especially Argos team management and Shimano” said Loh Sea Keong. “It has taken a lot of hard work with my coach Graham Seers and commitment to achieve this, but I am also fully aware that this is only the beginning of more dedication to come in order to compete at the highest professional level. I really want to do well for my family, my country Malaysia and the entire South-East Asia.”
“We really see potential in Loh”, said general manager Iwan Spekenbrink (NED). “We have followed Loh throughout the season and he has had some good results. When we select riders for the team, results are important but also their personality. With his positive attitude and eagerness to improve, his character fits perfectly in the team.
“We have been working on developing Asian cycling already for a long period and it is our aim to help develop Asian riders to the highest level. With Cheng Ji, who has been part of our project since the beginning, we have experience with this, and it has been impressive to see the progress he has made since his arrival on the European pro scene to racing in races like the Vuelta a España and Milan–San Remo, for example. We will be aiming to follow this progress with Loh as well.”
After a great 2012, Team Argos-Shimano enjoyed an amazing year in 2013 with Marcel Kittel taking four stage victories in the Tour de France, proving that he is currently one of the world’s fastest sprinters. The team also enjoyed 24 other victories, including Kittel’s triumph in Scheldeprijs, Warren Barguil’s two stages in the Vuelta a España and John Degenkolb’s stage five victory in the Giro d’Italia and the Paris Tours.
Loh will finish the rest of the season with his current team and officially join Team Argos-Shimano on 1st January 2014.
About Team Argos-Shimano
Team Argos-Shimano has a well-known vision and mission and clearly phrased and recognizable core values: an international focus (Pan-European oriented and with links to China, Japan and the United States); improvement of riders and staff; encouraging team spirit; practice of sports according to strict ethical values; promotion of a healthy lifestyle; much attention to innovation; and a nature-friendly policy and approach.
