KUALA LUMPUR: The Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) have been going downhill this year.
But they hope to come back stronger next year with a target of finishing among the top five teams in the Asia Tour.
TSG have endured a tough 2017 and are currently ranked 12th in Asia, the lowest since the continental team were set up in 2011.
"This is our lowest position since we joined the Asia Tour," said TSG chief operating officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus.
"This year, 50 per cent of the races heavily featured climbs. We have to make changes to adapt to the new season."
TSG have retained former Team Sky rider Jeremy Hunt as head coach and also signed Eritrean Metkel Eyob from Pro Tour team Dimension Data as well as a South Korean Asian Games gold medallist whose name is yet to be revealed.
Indonesian Dadi Suryadi and Gong Hyo Suk (South Korea) have been dropped while Mongolian Maral Erdene Batmunkh, Australian Drew Morey and Singapore's Goh Soon Huat remain on the roster.
Among the local riders, TSG have maintained brothers Harrif and Zamri Saleh, Shahrul Mat Amin and Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki but have let go Anuar Manan and Adiq Husainie Othman.
TSG have also secured the services of Kuala Lumpur Sea Games gold medallists Irwandi Lakasek and Afiq Huznie Othman with both signing a one-year contract.
"Focusing on the Sea Games and also the absence of a national championship contributed to our team being ranked 12th this year," added Nasiruddin.
"We hope that this new combination of riders will help us regain our position among the best in Asia."
The Kuala Terengganu-based team were ranked fourth in Asia in 2011, first in 2012, third in 2013, sixth in 2014, ninth in 2015 and fifth in 2016.
Translated from Harian Metro