KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran cyclist Shahrul Mat Amin is back in the national squad for his eighth Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) after a seven-year hiatus, proving that a long absence and the Covid-19 pandemic did little to break his spirit.
The 39-year-old, who last rode in the race in 2018, said his perseverance and hunger to compete again at the highest level had pushed him through difficult periods of training and personal sacrifice.
“For the first two months of training it was painful, but I kept going,” Shahrul said at a press conference in Bukit Jalil on Monday.
“Cycling has always been a part of me, so I never gave up on making a return.”
Shahrul, who spent 13 years with Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), will lead a relatively young Malaysian squad.
His years of experience racing with international riders and tactical awareness are seen as assets in guiding the team through the eight-stage, 1,244.2km race, scheduled from Sept 28 to Oct 5.
“Sometimes it’s not just about strength but knowing when to make a move. That’s where experience counts,” he said.
Despite the team’s targets of challenging for the Asian jersey and aiming for stage wins, Shahrul believes opportunities will only come with patience and race intelligence.
“After the first stage we’ll be able to read the race better,” he added.
“From there, we’ll know where we stand to fight for a stage like the third or fifth. Positioning before the climb in Fraser’s Hill (Stage 5) is crucial, and that requires both strategy and teamwork.
“Having battled his way back into contention, Shahrul now looks forward to inspiring his younger teammates while proving he still has the legs and the resilience to deliver on Malaysia’s home tour.
Besides Shahrul, the five other riders in the national road cycling squad are Elmi Jumari, Ameer Ahmad Kamal, Kee Zhe Yie, Iqmal Zarawi, and Yusri Shaari.
As one of the most prestigious races in Asia, LTdL, which holds a 2.ProSeries status in the UCI Asia Tour calendar, has attracted 22 teams.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
