Cycling

TSG revamp rider lineup for new season

KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) have brought in five new faces to freshen up their squad for the new season.

The continental squad have signed climbers Jesse Ewart of Australia and Aiman Cahyadi of Indonesia.

Three young riders from Terengganu State Sports Council's Malaysia Games programme have also been roped in. They are, Zuladri Amin Zulkurnain, Muhammad Shahmir Aiman Abd Halim and Kee Zhe Yie.

TSG chief executive officer (CEO) Che Ku Izmuddin Che Ku Mahmood disclosed that the five new riders will replace Goh Choon Huat (Singapore), Jamal Hibatullah, Afiq Huznie Othman and Zamri Saleh.

Long-serving captain Zamri, who turns 40 this year, will remain with the team in a coaching role while the other three have been released.

The rest of the squad, which includes star sprinter Harrif Saleh, have been retained.

Che Ku Izmuddin is confident the new signings will strengthen the team.

"Jesse came in third at the Tour du Rwanda last year while Aiman is the Indonesia national champion," he said at the TSG riders and sponsors introduction ceremony in Kuala Terengganu last night.

"Both riders hold impressive profiles and will be able to help TSG achieve more success this season.

"Jeremy Hunt (Great Britain) will continue as the coach and we will pick a new team captain as the replacement for Zamri."

Che Ku Izmuddin added that TSG's outstanding achievements in the UCI Asia Tour - they topped the team rankings last year - have allowed them to secure RM11 million in sponsorship for this season.

This is from both local and foreign sponsors, including from Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

"It is the highest amount we have received since TSG was established in 2011," said Che Ku Izmuddin.

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