KUALA LANGAT: The Terengganu Cycling Team just arrived from a race in Indonesia on Saturday and will return again today for another tournament.
But their tight schedule did not stop them from winning first place in the New Straits Times (NST) C-Cycle Challenge 2018 Team Cycling open category.
Mohd Nor Umardi Rosdi, one of seven cyclists in the Terengganu Cycling Team, said they were participating in the Union Cycliste Internationale tour competition in Indonesia.
The team, he said, would be making their way back to Indonesia today to compete in another international cycling tournament.
“We may not have time to celebrate our victory in the NST C-Cycle Challenge. But it’s all worth it,” said Nor Umardi.
He lauded the C-Cycle organisers for the smooth implementation of the programme. He hoped the challenge would continue in the future.
“This is a good programme. Today, everything went smoothly. The choice of venue is nice. The route is also good and, more importantly, it is held on a weekend where it will not cause traffic disruption.”
The champion of the Senior Men’s open category, Tsen Seong Hoong, 49, concurred with Nor Umardi, saying that the Eco Show House at Eco Sanctuary Kota Kemuning was a great place to rest after completing the race.
“The course is wonderful. The police did their job well. Everything in the challenge went fine.
They also have side events and the show house is a nice place to hang around.”
Tsen, a former national cyclist, said he had left the sport for more than 10 years and only picked it up again two years ago.
“I retired in 2003. I was in the Malaysian squad for 15 years. I only came back two years ago because my 15-year-old son is into the sport. He needs someone to guide him, so I started getting on my bike again professionally,” said the 1995 SEA Games gold medallist.
Tsen took home the RM2,500 top prize in his category. He said he would give the money to his wife.
As for Jupha Somnet, 25, who won the Women’s open category, the race was another training ground for her since she is a national cyclist.
The Asian Track Championships gold medallist said although she felt a little pressured, she was glad to be able to top the race within three hours for the 160km Century Ride.
“I was worried as I could not train for the race since I just finished competing in the Asian Games three weeks ago. But I’m happy to be able to endure and push through.”
Jupha said the event was a perfect outing as the organisers had prepared good food and a tent offering sports massage.
She hoped that more women would take up cycling as it is a healthy lifestyle.