KUALA LUMPUR – National team rider Mohamad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil once again showcased his cycling prowess by securing a top-five finish at Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) closing, Stage 8, today.
During the opening stage, which spanned from Kerteh to Kuala Terengganu last Saturday, he finished fourth.
As the LTdL culminated in today’s final stage, spanning 156.5km which started from Setia Alam to Kuala Lumpur, Izzat once again demonstrated his mettle.
He extended his gratitude to his fellow teammates for their unwavering support throughout Stage 8, recognising the relentless pace and the early breakaway attempts made by 5 to 6 riders.
“I just tried to stay in it…I wanted to give it my all because today is the final stage.
“With 5km to go, I closely followed my teammates Nur Aiman Rosli and Zulhelmi Zainal.
“And in the final 1km, I thanked them (for their assistance) and went on my own,” he said.
Navigating the tumultuous final sprint towards the finish line, Izzat admitted the inherent danger he faced.
“My head was clashing with the other riders, I had to be brave.
“If I fell, I would have just accepted it. I fought for positioning, and in the last 500m, I found myself in the top five.
“I wanted to give it one last push but could not stand up to sprint (to the finish line),” said Izzat.
Reflecting on his performance this year, Izzat added he is pleased with his performance in this year’s edition as he feels like he has improved from last year.
“I got a top 10 finish last year, and this year I managed to register two top 5 finishes,” he said, showcasing his relentless dedication and improving skill set on the LTdL stage. — September 30, 2023