PETALING JAYA: Seasoned rider Zawawi Azman (pic) feels like he’s getting his second wind after rejoining his former cycling team Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC), formerly known as Team Sapura Cycling (TSC).
The 30-year-old wants to bring positive success to the team at the 2024 Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) taking place from Sept 29-Oct 6 as he feels it’s his “cycle of life” after various obstacles and challenges in the past year.
“As one of the local riders competing in our own country, I want to aim for a podium finish in this year’s race.
“Regardless of winning any stages or the best Malaysian or Asian rider, I won’t waste any opportunity that comes my way,” said the rider from Parit Buntar, Perak.
Alongside teammates Ahmad Syazrin Awang, Zulfikri Zulkifli, Fahmi Khairul, Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil, and Syawal Mazlin, Zawawi has about a week before the race begins and they have been undergoing final preparations after competing in the Tour of Salalah in Oman recently.
“All our preparations for LTdL are going well at the moment. We have already competed in four tournaments this year with Oman being the most recent.
“Prior to that, we raced in the Tour de Ijen in Indonesia in July as well as the Tour Trans-Himalaya and Tour of Hainan last month.
“I feel that was the best preparation leading up to LTdL and hope we can maintain the positive momentum from those overseas races.
“Our team have a good combination of riders and they know their respective roles, which will make our tasks easier,” said Zawawi, who is considered to be an all-rounder rider.
Zawawi also thanked the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) for giving him the opportunity to represent the national team at LTdL.
“At one point, I saw my career being somewhat lost when TSC folded last year. But fortunately, I got the trust from coach Mohd Yusof Nasir to represent the Malaysian team.
“I felt that my career came back to life. At least I still had a team after TSC were disbanded,” he said.
The team were officially established last year after TSC disbanded mid-last year due to a lack of sponsors, resulting in their absence at LTdL 2023.
– The Star
