Time trial bike investment crucial for Sea Games success, says coach

New Straits Times

15 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's road cycling team will need new time trial bikes if they are to have any chance of striking gold at the Thailand Sea Games on Dec 9-20, says Sayuti Zahit.
Sayuti, who co-coached the national squad during the Hanoi 2021 and Phnom Penh 2023 Sea Games, said Malaysia's best bet to win a gold medal at the games will come through the team time trial event.
This is because Thailand have opted to use a hilly route that better suits their riders for the mass start road race, which will offer two golds in the men's individual and men's team categories.
Thailand has also opted to leave out the criterium, an event Malaysian riders have traditionally excelled in.
"Our best chance of gold will definitely be in the team time trial event. Thailand have opted to use a relatively flat course for the event near the Suvarnabhumi Airport," said Sayuti when contacted recently.
"Thailand has been preparing well for this event and has all the latest equipment which is crucial in the time trial as aerodynamics plays a key factor.
"Their riders have been very consistent in time trial events held in recent seasons. The Philippines have also been solid in this event.
"Having said that, I believe our riders have the ability to win it if we have up to date equipment, otherwise we would be at a disadvantage as soon as we roll off the start line.
"The equipment we currently have is very outdated. Being on par (equipment-wise) with our rivals would give our riders the confidence they need to win it.
"The time trial bikes can also be used for the 2027 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games so we will be covered for at least two Sea Games cycles."
Malaysia previously won the mass start road race individual gold through Nur Aiman Zariff at Hanoi 2021 and Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki at Phnom Penh 2023.
Sayuti added that wind tunnel testing should also be factored into the budget.
"In addition to six time trial bikes, we also need aero helmets and skinsuits as well as some time in the wind tunnel," he said.
"Wind tunnel testing would allow us to maximise our average speed. Our riders can only put out a certain amount of watts, being as aerodynamic as possible can make a huge difference.
"The national track cycling squad has benefitted from wind tunnel testing for some time now, I think the road squad deserves to do the same."
Malaysia National Cycling Federation's (MNCF) road cycling committee chairman Norazman Abu Samah last week disclosed that the national body is seeking RM600,000 in funds from the National Sports Council (NSC) to purchase the time trial equipment which will be used for the next two editions of the Sea Games games.
They are expecting to meet with NSC officials tomorrow (July 8).