KUALA LUMPUR – Former national road cycling team captain Muhammad Zawawi Azman is a little disappointed not to win at least one title at the national championships last week, but said he is grateful for the opportunity to continue his career in the sport he loves.
At the National Road Cycling Championships held in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor from March 8 to 10, Zawawi brought home two silver medals in the individual time trial and the road race.
“I’m happy with my achievement but I thought I could win at least one title. In the road race, I had the potential to win gold.
“But during the race, I missed a three-man breakaway and had to waste a lot of energy to catch up with them.
“Because of that I had trouble recovering and when the finish line was getting closer I could not focus on the final sprint,” said Zawawi when contacted by Scoop.
Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki of Terengganu Cycling Team edged Zawawi in the final sprint to win his third national title.
Despite the disappointment, the Perak-born cyclist is grateful for the opportunity to continue his career in road cycling.
He is one of many cyclists who were left without a team after Team Sapura Cycling shut down its operations due to not being able to secure new sponsors.
Zawawi contemplated hanging up his bike as he thought that was the end of his career and seeking alternative means of providing for his family.
However, he was given a second chance after national team coach Mohd Yusof Nasir selected him to captain the national team at last year’s Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Team Sapura founder Sayuti Zahit then rebranded the team to Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) and Zawawi was roped in as one of its riders.
“I really gave it all for this National Championships as I don’t want to waste my second go at this sport.
“My two silver medals may not seem like a big deal to others, but it was a big deal to me as I was lost without direction when Sapura closed shop.
“I had a family to feed so I had to find a job to provide for them. But getting a second crack at things gave me great motivation. It is like I was resurrected from the dead,” added the 29-year-old.
Moving forward for this year, Zawawi aims to get as many good results as possible to ensure his name is the talk of the cycling community in the country.
“I want to give my 100% as we don’t know what will happen in this sport.
“If something does happen I can lean on my results to find opportunities elsewhere,” said Zawawi.
Currently enjoying a brief respite with his family in Parit Buntar, Perak, Zawawi will be skipping the upcoming Tour of Thailand with MPC in April and plans to resume training after Hari Raya Aidilfitri in preparation for this year’s LTdL. – March 17, 2024