KUALA LUMPUR: National road cycling time trial champion Nur Aiman Rosli sacrificed his spot on the Hangzhou Asian Games track team to realise his dream of competing in Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Aiman, who is equally adept on the track, said he has long been waiting for the opportunity to compete in LTdL. The UCI ProSeries tour will be held on Sept 23-30.
The 24-year-old will be competing in LTdL for the Malaysia national team alongside Zawawi Azman, Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil, Zulhelmi Zainal, Shaiful Adlan Shukri and Muhsin Al Redha Misbah.
“I competed in the omnium (track) event during the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games and this time they (track team management) wanted me to race in the madison event (for Hangzhou),” said Aiman when met yesterday.
“I turned them down because I want to race in LTdL. It has been my dream to race in LTdL since I was a kid.
“And I told myself that I have to race in it at least once before I retire.
“I want to test myself on the road against some of the best riders in the world.”
Aiman, who claimed his forth consecutive national time trial title in July, is hoping to make an impact in the race which starts with a 184.4 kilomtre first stage from Kerteh to Kuala Terengganu on Saturday.
“I will definitely give it my best during all eight stages of the race,” said Aiman.
“I will look for opportunities to attack and will try and join the breakaway whenever possible.”
A total of 132 riders from two UCI WorldTeams, eight ProTeams, 11 Continental teams and one national team (Malaysia) will be competing in LTdL.
They will race across 1,278km of challenging terrain over 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia this year.
– NST
