KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 – Debutant ProTeam from the United States (US), Modern Adventure Pro Cycling is fielding a well-balanced roster capable of challenging more experienced teams at the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi 2026 (LTdL26), scheduled from September 27 to October 4.
Despite being considered the ‘youngest’ team after officially formed in mid-2025, the squad based in Greenville, South Carolina and Girona, Spain, is primed to make a major impact in its first professional year toward its goal of competing at the highest level, such as the Tour de France by 2032.
Based on the team list submitted to the LTdL26 Secretariat, the squad led by team manager Alex Howes is fielding three capable climbers in Stefan De Bod, Kieran Haug and Leo Hayter alongside three sprint specialists – Robin Carpenter, Scott McGill and Riley Pickrell.
De Bod, 29, is no stranger to local cycling fans as the South African rider represented local team TSG last year and finished runner-up in Stage 6 (Batu Pahat to Kulai) at LTdL24 while with EF Education-EasyPost.
Boasting extensive experience with four Grand Tour appearances and four One-Day Classics, De Bod who previously rode for Qhubeka, Dimension Data and Astana, possesses valuable knowledge of local routes and represents Modern Adventure’s best bet to pull off a surprise, especially as he arrives in prime condition after winning this year’s national individual time trial title and placing fourth overall at the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia.
De Bod’s climbing partners include Haug, 23, a US rider from Brunswick who won the prestigious Tour of the Gila last year before finishing second this year, alongside a sixth-place finish at the US National Championships.
Hayter, a 25-year-old British rider who represented Ineos Grenadiers from 2022 to 2024, previously won the Giro d’Italia Giovani Under-23 in 2022 and carries strong form after placing fifth overall and third in Stage 3 at the Tour of Poitou-Charentes in France last month.
Carpenter, a 34-year-old US rider who previously raced for ProTeams Rally and UnitedHealthcare before a three year hiatus, proved that he retains his winning edge with a recent victory at the Yarmouth Clam Bike Festival in July and an appearance at the PostNord Tour of Denmark in August.
Fellow American McGill, 27, previously secured two stage wins at the 2022 Volta a Portugal, one stage win at the 2024 Tour of Rhodes, and one at the 2024 Tour of the Gila. His most recent result is a second place in Stage 3 of the Istrian Spring Tour in March.
Attention during final sprint finishes will focus on Canadian rider Pickrell, 25, who claimed two stage wins at the Sibiu Cycling Tour in 2024 and 2025, placed second in Stage 4 of the 2026 Tour of Türkiye, and finished third in Stage 1 of the Arctic Race of Norway in August.
LTdL26 Secretariat Chief Operating Officer, Emir Abdul Jalal noted that the arrival of Modern Adventure founded by legendary cyclist George Hincapie for its debut in Malaysia, reminds him of teams like Uno-X Mobility and Tudor Pro Cycling.
“Just like Uno-X and Tudor a few years ago, they were lesser known when first competing in LTdL, but look where they are today. Uno-X has achieved WorldTeam status, while Tudor is well on track to join that elite tier.
“It is entirely possible that Modern Adventure, currently ranked 35th globally, will follow that same path, especially given their active racing schedule across America, Europe and now Asia,” he said in a statement today.
The Modern Adventure squad ‘warmed up’ at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and Montreal on September 11 and 13, as well as the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg from September 16–20, prior to flying to Malaysia.
The 30th edition of LTdL26 kicks off with Stage 1 from Shah Alam to Kampar on September 27 and concludes with Stage 8 from Muar to Putrajaya on October 4, covering a total distance of 1,285.5km.
The 2.ProSeries rated tour featuring two WorldTeams, eight ProTeams, nine Continental teams and the Malaysian national team is organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through the National Sports Council (MSN), with full support from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).
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