PHNOM PENH, May 13 — The national road cycling team ended their 2023 South East Asian (SEA) Games campaign in relative style when cyclist Nur Aisyah Mohammad Zubir won the bronze in the women’s elite mass start event in Siem Reap, earlier today.
The cycling team managed a total of four podium finishes — a gold, a silver and two bronze — in the criterium, men’s and women’s elite mass start races, a somewhat historic achievement.
Nur Aisyah recorded a time of 2 hours 48 minutes 39 seconds to complete the 100.4 kilometres (km) race along the Angkor Wat route, located around 320 km from this town. She ended the race in nailbiting fashion, a neck-to-neck finish alongside Indonesian cyclist Magh Firotika Marenda.
The race was full of surprises, including a shock win by Vietnamese Pro Tour cyclist Nguyen Thi That, who beat favourite Jutatip Maneephan of Thailand, both recording a time of 2:48:39s.
Cycling at an average speed of 5.72 km/hour, the race began rather slow as cyclists were cautiously conserving their energy as they pedalled their way through the course under scorching heat exceeding 39°C.
The competition was fierce in the last 15 km when cyclists from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia made their moves as they headed for the finish line.
Nur Aisyah admitted that she was surprised with her achievement of two bronze, in the criterium and the women’s elite mass start events, but believed that it was not just by coincidence.
“It is really a sign of great teamwork and effort. All cyclists worked together well and followed the coach’s instructions and strategy,” she said.
National women’s squad coach Amir Mustafa Rusli stressed that the success of the two bronzes at this year’s Games meant that the women cyclists showed tremendous improvement.
“I also see them learning from the men’s elite squad. They pick up technical methods and how to control the race. I’m happy with this development,” he added.
National team manager Norazman Abu Samah meanwhile shared that the four podium finishes marked a new era for Malaysia’s men’s and women’s road racing teams.
“I would like to congratulate all cyclists, coaches, mechanics and masseurs for their great cooperation to achieve the set target,” he said.
— Bernama
