Cycling: Coutts makes return to the Asian circuit

Published on Tuesday 26 January 2010 09:01

LOTHIANS cyclist Alex Coutts will be aiming to make a mark on the UCI Asian circuit this year after rejoining the Giant Asia Racing Team.

The Gorebridge-born 26-year-old, who has already spent eight years competing as a professional, has agreed to return for the new campaign to the Taiwan- registered squad he represented two years ago.

While there, Coutts posted the best result of his career when he won the Tour of Thailand in 2008 and, although he performed well in other events on the highly- competitive Asian circuit, was released when the team decided not to retain the services of its foreign riders.

However, funding is available this season and the man who raced for Scotland at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne has made the move from the Greek outfit Heraklion Nessebar, where he spent last season.

His first major stage race of the season will come in Malaysia where he will contest Asia's biggest event, the seven day Tour de Langkawi which covers more than 1000km and starts on Monday, 1 March.