Malaysia's mission to end their Sea Games gold drought in the road event at this year's Vietnam edition has received a massive boost.
The National Sports Council (NSC) have accepted the Malaysian National Cycling Federation's (MNCF) request to have their cyclists placed under category A for the Sea Games from May 12-23.
Road team coach, Datuk Ng Joo Ngan, said he will scout for national cyclists at the Tour of Thailand on April 1-6.
After delivering two gold, three silver and one bronze in the road discipline at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, the national team failed to win a single gold medal at the last Sea Games in the Philippines in 2019.
In the Philippines, Malaysia managed to get only one bronze, through Taslim Shaikh Raziff in men's freestyle BMX.
Joo Ngan, who was appointed head coach last year, said teamwork will be crucial for Malaysia to land the elusive gold medal.
"In road cycling, we need to cooperate with each other in the team because strategy is very important," said Joo Ngan, a former Asian champion.
"If you're good but your strategy is incorrect, you are competing with each other in the team. Cyclists from other countries will win even if you are a top cyclist.
"I think there were mistakes at the last Sea Games. We hope it won't happen again."
Three riders — Harrif Saleh, Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff and Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki — have been approved for category A (costs fully borne by NSC).
However, individual time trial riders Nur Aiman Rosli and Shaiful Adlan Shukri were placed under category B (they will be refunded if they win a medal). Seven mountain bikers and seven women riders are also in category B.