KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian riders competing in the just ended Jelajah 1Malaysia (JIM 2012) proved that they too can excel at top level road races.
The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) Deputy President Datuk Naim Mohamed said national riders showed a marked improvement in performance and results despite the presence top class riders from other countries.
“From the 10 local teams that took part, only Pahang has yet to keep pace with the rest while Kedah and Negeri Sembilan too need to improve.
“The results showed that the JIM is not an easy competition and that teams participating must take a serious approach in the coming editions,” said Naim.
Naim said participation from Continental teams, leading clubs in the region and the Kazakhstan national team had increased the level of competition in the UCI 2.2 status race.
In the six-stage race that ended yesterday, national riders dominated three stages of the competition, winning two of the four main jersey that was on offer.
The Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin won Stage 3 from Kulim, Kedah to Felda Chuping, Perlis, while his team mate Mohd Hariff Salleh ruled Stage 4
from (Kangar, Perlis to Sungai Petani, Kedah) and (Sungai Petani to Ipoh, Perak).
Meanwhile, one of the short-listed candidates for the London Olympics, Mohd Adiq Hussainie Othman won the ‘King of Sprint’ title that came along with the Green Jersey and the White Jersey that was awarded to the ‘Best Malaysian Rider’ after the six stages. — Bernama