KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) will be looking to put their mountain bike (MTB) specialists and new signing, Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil, to the test at the Tour of Thailand, which begins on Monday.
MPC team principal Sayuti Zahit has chosen to field Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah, Zulfikri Zulkifli, Fahmi Khairul, Syawal Mazlin, Zahin Wahhi — all of whom have MTB backgrounds — and new sprinter Izzat in Thailand.
Sayuti said he decided to rest his more experienced road riders, such as team captain Akmal Hakim Zakaria and Zawawi Azman, as they would be looking to peak in races later this year.
MPC's sponsor Helaz run a comprehensive MTB rider development programme, hence the placement of MTB riders in the MPC squad. It is normal for MTB and cyclo-cross riders to also incorporate road cycling into their programme.
"These five MTB guys have competed in smaller tours before but this will be their first UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) tour. Going straight to a UCI 2.1 race will be a challenge for them," said Sayuti, upon his arrival in Thailand today.
"Road racing tactics are much different from MTB races and we have gone through with them what they have to do. They will be wearing their radios as it is allowed in UCI 2.1 races. So we are not too worried.
"It will also be a good chance for them to get some high-intensity mileage in their legs as they will be competing in the Asian MTB Championships in Putrajaya in May.
"There will be opportunities for the sprinters in this tour and we are hoping Izzat will be able to spring a surprise or two. He should be hungry to prove himself."
Radios are not allowed in smaller UCI2.2 races, which are the lowest tier in the UCI tour hierarchy.
With the exception of some climbs in the third and fourth stages, the profile for the other four stages of the Tour of Thailand look likely to end in a bunch sprint.
Izzat, who was previously on the books at MPC's predecessor Team Sapura Cycling from 2017-2019, showed strong form for the national team at last year's Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
He placed fourth in the opening stage and fifth in the eighth stage of the UCI ProSeries tour.
Syazrin will likely serve as his lead-out man in Thailand.
The opening stage, which starts in Phitsanulok and ends in Sukhothai Historical Park (131km) on Monday, features an almost pan-flat profile.