MELAKA – Despite only having time to train a few days before the competition, Terengganu A rider Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir emerged champion in the women’s elite 103.2km mass start at the 2021 National Road Cycling Championships (NRCC) here today.
The victory denied Johor A rider Siti Nur Adibah Akma Mohd Fuad the opportunity to defend her title at the annual meet. The latter finished in third place.
Nur Aisyah, 24, who clocked 3:06:03s in the four-lap race of 25.8km starting and ending at Bukit Katil, also beat well-known rider Pha Somnet of Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) who had to settle for second place.
She dedicated the win to her coach Syed Mohd Husaini Syed Mazlan besides also redeeming her disappointment yesterday when she finished in second place in the 30.2km individual time trial. That race was won by Siti Nur Adibah Akma.
“Alhamdulillah, I aimed to win today because my coach was disappointed that I did not win yesterday, but today my mission was achieved because I wanted to win for him. I also want to thank my team for this victory,” she told reporters afterwards.
The rider from Kemaman also admitted that she did not have much preparation to face the championship this time as she would usually train three months in advance for any race.
“My focus has been track cycling and there really is not much chance against riders who actually train on the road. I only had time to ride once (to train on the road), but feel happy to be able to reach my target.
“The victory in this edition also makes up for the disappointment last year when I only finished second due to not being fit and suffering a bit of cramp in the race,” she said.
Meanwhile, in the men’s Under-23 144.8km mass start, Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan from Terengganu Cycling Team emerged champion with a time of 3:52:32s.
Muhammad Yusri Saari from Perak A and Mohammad Faisal Izuddin Ahmad Joyo (Terengganu A), both of whom clocked 3:52:37s, finished second and third respectively. – Bernama, December 30, 2021
