Jelajah Malaysia gives Pishgaman green light to compete
KUALA LUMPUR: The Jelajah Malaysia organisers have no problem with Team Pishgaman Cycling returning to defend their three titles in this year’s race, from Oct 3-7, despite the Iranian outfit’s doping history.
Tournament chairman Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib said Pishgaman, now the Asian No. 2, are free to compete in any international race after serving the 30-day ban imposed by the International Cycling Union (UCI), which ended on April 6.
Pishgaman, a UCI third-tier team, were suspended on March 6 after two of their riders tested positive for doping within a one-year period.
Rahim Emami, who won Stage One and finished fourth overall in last year’s Jelajah Malaysia in October, was the second offender, which triggered the ban. He was tested positive for anabolic steroid during the race and has been slapped with a 7½-year ban.
“Pishgaman are one of the top three sides in Asia and Jelajah Malaysia, being a UCI 2.2-graded meet on the Asian Tour, is obliged to invite them,” said Nazifuddin.
“We have no problem with them competing this year as they have already served their ban.
“Besides being the defending champions, Pishgaman have also been very supportive of Jelajah Malaysia over the years.”
Nazifuddin also confirmed that Arvin Moazemi and Amir Kolahdozhagh will be back to defend their yellow (general classification) and blue (sprint) jerseys. Pishgaman will also bid to keep their overall team crown.
The defending champions can expect stiff competition from the likes of Australia’s Oliver’s Real Food Racing, Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team, South Korea’s KSPO and Aisan of Japan in the 20-team race.
The five-stage race will cover a total of 679.9km and three states – Selangor, Perak and Kedah.
The first stage will be from Shah Alam to Hutan Melintang, followed by Lumut-Kuala Kurau, Kuala Kangsar-Kulim, Kulim-Gunung Jerai before ending with the Alor Setar loop.