Saturday, 31 October 2009

Hafiz, Yew Meng Ready to Bring Honours to LE Tua Cycling Team at Sepang

National cyclists Mohd Hafiz Rozli and Lim Yew Meng were the early birds at the inaugural Four Cross Mountain Bike and Cross Country Challenge in Sepang; declaring that they are ready to pen their names as the first winners for the event for their LE Tua Cycling Team.

Coming as early as 8am and accompanied by their coach Johari Mohd Nayan, the duo, however, unable from taking their bikes around the purposed-laid track circuit within and around Sepang Motocross Circuit due to a morning shower.

“It looks good and exciting. It should be a good race tomorrow,” said the 21-year old Hafiz, who would be competing in the cross country category with Yew Meng in a dual pronged-mission to have fun as well as to prepare themselves for next weekend’s national race in Melaka.     

“We will just be concentrating on the cross country category. This has always been our pet event,” said the Terengganu-born Hafiz, who won the Sukma Games in Terengganu last year for the cross country category.

Sharing Hafiz’s enthusiasm, Yew Meng congratulated the organizers for creating the event; saying that there should be more of such competitions to cater for the mountain bike enthusiasts. “I am really looking forward for the race tomorrow,” said the 26-year old rider whose best results was fifth place in the Asian Continental Championship in the Philippines in 2004.

“There were also many other wins in the local tournaments; but the one in the Philippines was one memorable moment for me,” said Yew Meng, who is also looking forward to the new four-cross competition.

“It’s definitely new for us here in Malaysia. I am sure many would want to test their skills in that competition. It will be very interesting to watch and see how the sports will grow. I know there would be plenty of us ready to pick up the competition if there are good competitions being organized here in Malaysia,” he added.

Organised by Tujuh Impian Events and supported by Sepang International Circuit, the four cross mountain bike is the first of its kind to be held in Malaysia while the cross country challenge will be competed around a motocross track for the very first time for Malaysian riders.

Apart from the natural jumps around the one-kilometer track, the organizers had also constructed additional jumps to inject further excitement in the competition and in line with the requirements of the sports. The four-cross, which is also known as mountain cross or bikercross, would be competed in a 400-meter track comprising steep table tops and jumps.

Five categories would be competed including a Malaysian Racing Drivers category which would be exclusively for those with AAM and MAM racing licenses. The other categories are junior (for the age between 14 to 18 years old); senior (19 – 30 yrs); Senior Veteran (31 and above) and the open category.

Competitors will have a full day of free practice today before the real competition starts tomorrow. Entrance for spectators is free.