IT was not a perfect finish for the Malaysian road race cycling team at the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games (KL2017) when they wrapped up the event with a silver medal achievement in the men’s mass start final which ended at Nilai Square, Negeri Sembilan on Thursday (24 August).
Malaysia represented by six riders in the 141.6 kilometer race namely Hariff Saleh, Anuar Manan, Mohd. Zamri Saleh, Nur Amirull Fkahruddin Mazuki and Muhammad Adiq Husainnie Othman only managed to win a silver through Mohd. Shahrul Mat Amin with a time of 3:26:04s.
Gold medal went to Nawuti Liphongyu of Thailand, clocking 3:26:00s while the bronze went to Mai Nguyen Hung of Vietnam with a time fo 3:26:04s.
Malaysia was the defending champion for the event when they won it in Singapore two years ago through Mohd. Hariff Saleh while Anuar Manan won a silver.
“It was a tough race and i never expect to be in the top three. Thank you to my teamates who did all the effort to ensure i stayed in front throughout the race.
“I fough hard to put up a challenge on the Thai rider, but he went stronger especially in the last 10 kilometer. The Thai is too strong,” said Shahrul after the race.
Hariff with the reputation as defending champion was not at his peak form and he found it difficult to make a breakaway throughout the race.
He was strongly challenged by the Thais, Indonesian and Vietnamese rider who keep a close eye on his race strategy.
The Terengganu borned rider was not given any room by his rival to launch the attack and in the end he gave up hopes, finishing the race in 30th position.
Four days ago, Hariff brought cheers to the Malaysia cycling team when he won the men’s individual criterium.
The other Malaysian rider Nur Amirull Fakhruddin completed the race in fifth position while Muhammad Adiq finished eigth.
Zami and Anuar wrapped up the race in 13th and 33rd position respectively.
55 riders from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar took part in the race which is the final event for road race category.
As the road race event closed it’s curtain on Thursday, the Malaysian cycling squad deliverd two gold medals, three silvers and one bronze with the gold achieved by Hariff Saleh (men’s criterium) and men’s team time trial while silvers were contributed by Jupha Somnet (women’s criterium and mass start) and Mohd. Shahrul Mat Amin (men’s mass start).
The bronze were delivered by Mohd. Zamri Saleh in the men’s criterium.
Next on the card will be the BMX event scheduled to be held in Nilai on Saturday.
