TEAM GK2 Kedah rider, Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, who shone through the first circuit of the Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) 2017 competition in the Criterium and Women’s Road Race Under-15 at d’Tempat Country Club, Bandar Sri Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan last March is expected to dominate the second circuit that will be held in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang, this Saturday.
Nurul Izzah was crowned champion at the Perak, Putrajaya, Kedah, and Terengganu circuits in last year’s edition and was seen as the one with the most potential based on improving performances as time progressed since JCM was organized last year.
Determined to prove her abilities in the second circuit, Nurul Izzah however is not looking down on the competition who have an equal chance to achieve success.
“Alhamdulillah I had managed to win two categories that I was in in the first circuit, I hope to carry this winning streak to Pulau Pinang.
“It is not an easy task but I have been training hard to maintain and ensure that the momentum continues.
“All riders have a chance to achieve success and that includes me”, she said.
With a powerful cycling style and high confindence in herself, this Kedah born 14 year old talent started in the three top groups in the early part of the race before disappointing 24 other riders to be crowned champion.
For Kelantan Cycling Team coach, Rosli Salleh, his line of riders are forced to compete with one another to stay in the many categories competed at JCM 2017.
“We actually have many young riders that would be focus on in this JCM 2017, every time we compete I have a hard task of choosing whom will ride.
“The team has to prove themselves at every training session so that they keep their place in the team”, he said.
According to him, for the second circuit, his riders have the quality and the ability to successfully compete in all the categories the team are in.
“As many as 12 riders in the Under-12, -15, -17, -19, and Open categories will take part. We will give a chance to the young riders who I see have the potential to give stiff competition and give them some experience.
“They will fight to get the experience and also glory for themselves and the team,” he said.
Looking at JCM 2017 which goes into its second season, Rosli believes that the competition this time will give rise to potential young riders early on.
“I see this competition as something that is very important and meaningful in the efforts to create quality riders for higher level competitions. Congratulations JCM, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), and Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS),” he commented.
In the first circuit in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan last March, Rosli’s protege, Mohammad Azlan Mohd Azmi competed in the Men’s Under-17 Road Race category.
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