LANGKAWI, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Muhammad Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff is eyeing the opportunity to grab the King of Mountain title for the third time at the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2024 race starting tomorrow.
Nur Aiman who won the title in the 2020 and 2022 editions however realised his mission in hunting for the polka dot jersey (King of Mountain) at the 28th edition of LTdL this year is not easy considering that several selected riders also aimed to grab the title.
"Yes, of course I have the desire to win the King of Mountain at the LTdL this time after missing the opportunity to defend it last year.
"But I have to admit that the goal of winning the title of King of Mountain is not easy. All that depends on the strategy and body condition on the day of the race," he said when met.
Nur Aiman Zariff, 26, won the King of Mountain title for the first time in his career at LTdL when he was with Team Sapura Cycling (TSC) which is now known as Malaysia Pro Cycling Team (MPC).
After the LTdL was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Setiu-born rider managed to defend the polka dot LTdL 2022 jersey when representing TSG.
However, he had to accept missing out on the jersey in the 2023 edition when it was snatched by the Pro Team rider from Switzerland, Tudor Pro Cycling Team, Simon Pellaud.
For this year's edition, Nur Aiman Zariff is once again expected to receive fierce competition from Pellaud who is also confirmed to be on the Tudor team list.
"Sometimes all that also depends on luck. If I have it ... God willing, it will be my turn but I don't want to get my hopes up (winning the polka dot jersey).
"No matter what I will try to give my best in every stage of the race. We also know that this time there is no race stage to the Genting Highlands, but there are still many climbing zones.
In addition to Nur Aiman Zariff, TSG is betting on five other riders consisting of sprint specialist Mohd Harrif Saleh, Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki, Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli and two imported riders - Andreas Miltiadis and Anatolli Budiak.
-- BERNAMA
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