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Wong in chase for biggest pay day

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Wong Kam-po took off for Malaysia yesterday in pursuit of the most lucrative cash prize of his career in the RM1.6 million ($3.2 million) Tour of Langkawi - the third richest multi-stage event in the world.

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Fresh from capturing the Tour of South China Sea title on New Year's Day, Wong will be rubbing shoulders with top professional teams from 15 countries in Europe, and America, as well as eight national teams during the 12-stage tour from January 25 to February 6.

The Asian Games road race champion is seeking to surpass his biggest pay day to date - when he won the US$340,000 ($2.76 million) Tour of the Philippines in 1997. He pocketed a winner's prize of $150,000 then.

Wong has his eyes on the Langkawi winner's purse of RM60,000 ($124,000). He will also be chasing tens of thousands in special categories such as points classification and King of the Mountains, and the team competition.

Coach Shen Jinkang, who will join Wong in Kuala Lumpur today, said the 26-year-old star's aim was to finish among the top three Asians.

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'There is also prize money set aside for top Asian finishers and it is his target to remain one of the leading cyclists in Asia,' said Shen.

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