MILITARY TEAM TO JOIN CHALLENGE
It will be led by Terengganu cycling team captain
PROFESSIONAL riders from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) are among those who will take part in the NST C-Cycle Challenge this year.
The six-member ATM team will be spearheaded by Lance Corporal Mohd Zamri Saleh, who is captain of the Terengganu Pro-Asia Cycling Team (TSG), and his brother, Corporal Mohd Harrif.
Zamri, 35, said he had been actively participating in local cycling events as a way to promote the sport, especially among the younger generation.
“I have been involved in cycling since I was 15, following the footsteps of my older brother, who used to represent Terengganu at the national level.
“Even after many years, I still cannot get enough of this sport. I will continue cycling for as long as I can. I hope more people will get involved in cycling. If not as a professional rider, perhaps as a way to exercise and commute.”
He said he was willing to share his knowledge and experience with those interested to take up the sport.
He said those who wished to get involved in the sport should not feel discouraged if they did not win.
“Young people tend to give up easily. There are many challenges that we have to face before succeeding. This is especially true during the initial years of our career.
“It is important to train hard to build endurance and stamina,” he said, adding that it would take about a year for new riders to be able to reach the stamina level of an experienced rider.
According to Zamri, he and his team at TSG train for about four to six hours a day.
Zamri, who joined TSG in 2011, has taken part in international races, including the London 2012 Summer Olympics, 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, 2017 Southeast Asian Games here and the latest Le Tour de Langkawi in March.
He and his ATM teammates will participate in the 160km race in the challenge, scheduled to take place on Sept 23 at Eco Sanctuary in Kota Kemuning, Selangor.