SEREMBAN 2 – National team cyclist Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli was content with his performance, after ending Stage 7 of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today as Malaysia’s best finisher, securing 18th place.
Covering a relatively short distance of 123.8km from Muar to Seremban 2, Stage 7 featured flat terrain with no climbing zones.
As such, Aiman decided to adopt a strategic approach ahead of tomorrow’s finale of this year’s LTdL.
“I know the pace of the race will be high so I don’t want to waste my energy for a breakaway.
“The plan today was to rest and rely on my sprinters to take the lead.
“I wanted to get into the mix right at the end but luck was not on my side. I will try again tomorrow,” said the 24-year-old.
Recognising the formidable competition posed by top European riders, national team coach Mohd Yusuf Abdul Nasir conceded that his charges have a difficult time keeping up.
“My cyclists did ok, we tried to get into the mix in the last two kilometres and Zulhelmi Zainal was in front trying to pull Mohamad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil to the front, but unfortunately I think he was suffering from cramps.
“We will try and do our best, even though chances for us to get a podium are slim against these European cyclists, we still need to try.
“Our plan is to try for a breakaway and get whatever points we can get, at the same time put Zuhelmi and Izzat in a good position in the final stretch,” he added.
The closing stage for this year’s edition of LTdL will start in Setia Alam and end in Kuala Lumpur, covering a distance of 156.5km. – September 29, 2023