TEAM Sapura Cycling are relishing the healthy rivalry with fellow Malaysian heavyweights Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG).
The two big guns will lock horns at the National Road Championships, which starts in Melaka tomorrow, and Sapura boss Sayuti Zahit hopes to see his charges retain their titles.
Sapura's Akmal Hakim Zakaria had pipped defending champion Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki (TSG) to the men's elite road race title in Bukit Katil last year.
Sapura had also won the men's elite and Under-23 individual time trials through Nur Aiman Rosli and Saari Amri Abd Rasim last season.
Sayuti is again expecting TSG to be their main rivals this year.
"Of course, we want to win again, but as you know, it is harder to defend a title than to win it for the first time," said Sayuti.
"I believe our chances are 50-50 as TSG are always strong. Furthermore, anything can happen in a road race due to crashes.
"We are looking forward to facing TSG again. I believe healthy rivalries are good for the sport.
"It creates good interest among the fans and also keeps us on our toes.
"The national meet is also important because it offers UCI points. A strong performance here will help us get more invitations to races in Asia next year."
Sayuti disclosed that Sapura will be fielding a stronger squad this year.
Akmal, Aiman, Muhsin Al Redha Misbah and Zawawi Azman are among the riders who will be representing Sapura this year.
"Last year, half of our road race team featured under-23 riders, but this time, we have six seniors in the squad," added Sayuti.
Sapura riders and officials recently took time out from their training programme to send supplies and also help flood victims in Hulu Langat, a usual training route for the team, clean their houses.