Buoyed by the mountain bike squad's surprise gold on Tuesday, national riders are determined to add to Malaysia's Sea Games medal haul in the road races that begin in Hanoi today.
Malaysia's best prospect for gold will likely come through in-form sprinter Harrif Saleh in the men's criterium in Hoa Binh.
The Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) rider will, however, only have TSG teammates Nur Aiman Zariff and Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki for support.
Team manager Firdaus Arshad said the route prepared by the hosts would also be tricky for the trio to get into the bunch sprint finish.
"The organisers have selected a 1.5km loop for the criterium, which is flat and very fast. We are expecting some very high average times.
"The layout of the loop is, however, square instead of the usual twisty circuits that are tight and technical.
"We are strong in technical circuits, so having the course being a straightforward square takes away some of our advantage because the sprint finish will be wide open.
"The organisers have allowed for only three riders in the criterium, which are fewer than (the five or six allowed) at the 2015 (Singapore) and 2017 (Kuala Lumpur) criteriums.
"Aiman and Amirul will play an important role for Harrif in the sprint (lead out). Amirul can also sprint, so we have a back-up in case something goes wrong with Harrif.
"All three riders are fit.
"Harrif won two gold in 2015 in the criterium and road race as well as the criterium gold in 2017."
Malaysia will be represented by Nur Aisyah Zubir, Siti Nur Alia Mansor and either Ju Pha Som Net or Nur Aisyah Munirah Chek Ramli in the women's criterium today.
The mountain bike squad of Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah, Zulfikri Zulkifli, Nur Assyira Zainal Abidin and Natahsya Soon delivered Malaysia's first-ever gold medal in the cross-country relay mixed team event on Tuesday.
The individual time trials and mass start road races will be held tomorrow.