Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 |
Kota Kinabalu: A new crop of cyclists are set to carry Sabahs challenge in next years Malaysia Games in Negeri Sembilan.
And, they are coming in just in time as Malaysias top woman mountain biker Wendy Townsing, a potential medallist, looks set to miss the meet.
So confident are the Sabah Cycling Association (SCA) of their new finds, they are not overly concerned they will be missing Wendys services next year.
In fact weve identified several girls, mostly from Keningau and Kota Kinabalu, who showed good potential, said SCA secretary Beatrice Lajawa, Monday.
She said six of the new talents - Anita Marcus (Nabawan), Laura Adrian (KK), Norhayati Rainin (Keningau), Britney Adeline (Penampang), Carolina Adrian (Keningau) and Ummu Sari (Keningau), were quite impressive during the cycling competitions in Apin-Apin (May 17) and Bariawa Ulu (May 25).
The girls have the potential and they are certainly material for the Sukma team. Well test them again during the Sandakan Fest Mountain Bike Challenge on May 28, said Beatrice.
She said the cyclists would have to complete the 35km race in less than two hours 30 minutes. If they make it they are certainly up to the mark.
She said the bikers would be taught the finer points of mountain biking, some of which require strong physical and mental training.
Unlike races such as the Tour de Langkawi (TdL), mountain bike races are conducted on rough terrain with lots of up and downhill sections including muddy tracks.
However, those who make the cut will not be immediately absorbed into the Sukma squad but will be further tested in the Pahang MTB Challenge on June 22, Beatrice said.
She said the cyclists would have to take part only in the Under-21 Junior category as the SCA is on the lookout for bikers to be groomed for the Negeri Sembilan Sukma.
Well be sending only the best that we think they will be able to do well in the Pahang Challenge.
On the mens cyclists, Beatrice said Hilary Taingin and Stanley Dalit Jr. are sure to form the mens Sukma downhill racers. Since the Sabah MTB Challenge recently, their performance has improved and weve earmarked them specifically for the downhill, she said.
Meanwhile, she said national riders, Jali Lukas and Wendy have been training almost daily at Kg Lomunu, Penampang in preparation for the Pahang MTB Challenge.
At the moment, they are training mostly to build up their endurance but theyll be hitting the 80km per day mark as the competition date draws closer, she said.
According to Beatrice, the Pahang Challenge 8.3km is about 60 per cent flat while the rest is up and downhill where Jali and Wendy have to rely on speed to cut the time.
She, however, expressed confidence that the riders would fare well in the race.
Both Jali and Wendy were called up by the National Mountain Bike squad to take part in the Asian Mountain Bike Championship in Amori, Japan in September.
Prior to that they are set to compete in the local circuits in Pahang, Selangor in July and the final circuit in August in Sarawak.
