KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (Bernama) — National track cyclists are slatted to compete in all four World Cup series to ensure more Malaysian cyclists qualified for the March 2010 World Championships in Denmark.
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) Deputy President Datuk Naim Mohammad said the decision was made to fulfill the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) requirement for member countries to compete in all four World Cup series.
“Last year we only competed in two series – Beijing and Melbourne – where only three riders qualified for the World Championships held in Poland early this year,” he told Bernama.
This year’s World Cup series would start in Manchester (October), Melbourne (November), Cali, Columbia (December) and Beijing, China (January 2010).
At the last World Championships in Poland, Malaysian cyclists won a silver and bronze medal through Mohd Azizulhasni Awang (200m Sprint) and Mohd Rizal Tisin (1km Time trial), respectively.
“We are also proud to note that nowadays the motto of the riders is to win and not just go for competitions just for exposure. The desire to win is a very positive sign,” said Naim.
Naim added that the importance and objective of national riders competing in various international championships was to strengthen their positions in the world ranking and qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
“MNCF’s target or strategy is to ensure three riders from the sprints team to qualify for the Olympics on merit. If we succeed, they will also be able to compete in the keirin and 200m Sprint events,” he said.
