Sukma: Golden treble helps Selangor cycling erase 2024 heartbreak

SEPANG: Selangor's cycling squad has erased the disappointment of missing medals at the 2024 Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) by claiming three gold medals, according to head coach Mahazir Hamad. Two years prior, Selangor did not secure any cycling medals, but this edition has brought them back from the brink. Mahazir expressed emotion upon witnessing his athletes outperform favorites Terengganu and Johor in the Bagan Lalang venue.

He remarked that this marks the first time in history that Selangor has claimed two gold medals in the road race category, surpassing their previous best of a single gold. Today's victory has allowed the team to move past the bitter memories of the 2024 Sarawak Games, where they failed to win any cycling medals. Mahazir credited the strong backing from the state sports council and cycling association for bolstering the Selangor squad.

He expressed hope that Selangor will maintain its high performance levels in future Sukma editions, noting that they have two riders capable of competing for the team in 2028, as well as a pool of younger riders yet to join the current squad. Mahazir pledged his continued commitment to coaching the team, alongside other coaches, and emphasized the importance of ongoing talent identification to ensure a steady flow of future athletes.

Two more opportunities for Selangor to add to their road cycling tally remain today, through the men's criterium and women's mass start road race.