KUALA TERENGGANU – The continental-class cycling team, Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) is betting on five new riders to face a more challenging season this year.
Joining them are two imported riders, Jesse Ewart of Australia and Aiman Cahyadi of Indonesia, who specialise in mountain climbing techniques.
Among the local riders, the new faces are talented athletes from Terengganu State Sports Council (MSNT) Malaysia Games (Sukma) programme namely Zuladri Amin Zulkurnain, Muhammad Shahmir Aiman Abd Halim, and Kee Zhe Yie.
TSG chief executive officer, Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin Che Ku Mahmood said the five riders replace Goh Choon Huat, Jamal Hibatullah, Afiq Huznie Othman, and Zamri Saleh, who have been appointed as TSG Academy coaches.
“Jesse Ewart is the third-place winner in the 2022 Tour du Rwanda, while Aiman Cahyadi is the 2022 Indonesia national champion,” he said.
“Both have an impressive profile and will help TSG achieve further glorious success this season,” he said at the TSG 2023 riders and sponsors introduction ceremony here last night.
Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokthar and state secretary Datuk Tengku Farok Hussin Tengku Abdul Jalil.
Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin said apart from the five new faces, TSG’s elite team is still maintaining the services of 11 riders, including Mohd Harrif Salleh, Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin, Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki, Muhammad Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff, Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan, and Irwandie Lakasek.
“The imported riders who are still with us are Youcef Reguigui, Metkel Eyob, Jeroen Meijers, Jambaljambts Sainbayar and Anatolli Budiak from Ukraine. Jeremy Hunt is still the coach. But for the team captain, we will decide soon who will succeed Zamri,” he said.
Meanwhile, Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin said TSG achieved outstanding results by defending the International Cycling Union (UCI) Asian Tour 2022 title with 118 podium finishes and 1,453 points.
According to him, the success has enabled TSG to secure RM11 million sponsorship this year from both local and oversea companies, such as from Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
“It is the highest amount we have received since TSG was established in 2011,” he said.
He added that the support from sponsors will enable TSG to make more plans to achieve the goal of becoming the top continental team, which it won in 2019. – Bernama
