HOT WHEELS: Zon Utara Muhd Nor Shafiq Suhaimy from Serantau Racing Academy (front right) and other racers crossing the starting line in the second lap at Bukit Katil yesterday. Iranian, Hasan Maleki Mizan from Suren Cycling Team won the race in 3 hours 50 minuites 51.292 second. — Bernama photo
MELAKA: Iranian riders from Suren Cycling Team swept the top three places in the Melaka Chief Minister’s Cup cycling race which ended here yesterday to mark the country’s prowess in the region.
Hasan Maleki Mizan crowned himself as the winner of the 156km race which saw 76 other riders competing, with a time of 3 hours 50 minutes 51.292 seconds, ahead of team-mate Hamid Shirisisan who clocked 3’50:51.522s for second place.
Their team-mate Ramin Mehrabi Azar came in third after crossing the line in 3’50:51.762s Hasan when met by Bernama said the success of the trio was due to a coordinated team effort which saw them break away from the pack as early as the second and third rounds.
He said their tactical application worked well throughout the race as all three were able to set an average speed of 40.545kph and cross the line in a tight finish.
Meanwhile, national rider Fallanie Ali Ahmad clocked 3’53:31.053s to finish fourth and become the best placed Malaysian rider, even beating seasoned campaigner Anuar Manan from the Terengganu Pro-Asia Cycling Team (TSG) who finished in eighth spot with a time of 4’00:23.588s.
Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin also from TSG and winner of the National Grand Prix third circuit yesterday, failed to repeat his feat after finishing 10th with a time of 4’01:10.046s. — Bernama