S’wak rookie bikers shine at national c’ship
KUCHING: Two rookies Tay Choon Liang and Hii Yu Heng from Sarawak did well at the Lubuk Linggau Mountain Bike National Championships and the International Race ( UCI Class 2) in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia from July 18-23.
Tay finished second while Hii was fifth in the junior category of the mountain bike cross country race and they received Indonesian Rupiah 3 million ( RM960) and Indonesian Rupiah 1.5 million ( RM480) respectively for their efforts.
Team manager cum coach Laurel Adrian said the threemember team competed in the 1hour 15min ( 8-lap) race against competitors from the Indonesian national team and Timor Leste.
Laurel, who was excited by their achievements, said both had done remarkably well as they were new to international competitions with the 16-year- old Bintulu-born Hii only started competitive cycling this year.
The Lubuk Linggau international competitions was his first taste of competition at the highest level.
“We discovered him only in March this year during a race in Bintulu while for Tay it was his first international appearance,” he said.
Hii was using his friend’s bike as he only owned a road bike when he competed in the Bintulu Challenge in February.
He was picked by state coach Leon Schepers who spotted the potential in him to include him in the state development squad
We discovered him only in March this year during a race in Bintulu while for Tay it was his first international appearance. Laurel Adrian, team manager cum coach
preparing for Sukma in Perak next year.
Laurel, who is from Sabah, said when they picked the Sarawak riders, they not only found out that the two had the prerequisites required for cycling such as skills in handling a bike and stamina but also the courage or guts which is inherent in them.
“These two are the potentials as they are fearless which is a quality we need in competitive riders.”
Laurel added that the two who are earmarked for Sukma XIX in Ipoh next year will compete in the next national competitions.