KUALA LUMPUR: National cyclist Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir has vowed to repay the trust placed in her by producing an energetic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old, who is set to create history by becoming the first Malaysian woman road racing cyclist to compete in the Olympics, said the acknowledgement has further boosted her spirit to compete in Trocadero, Paris, France on Aug 8 next year. Nur Aisyah, of Terengganu, however, is aware that this will be the biggest test of her career.
“I am proud to be the first Malaysian woman rider to compete in the road racing event at the world’s biggest multi-sports Games.
It will only make me more determined and motivated to perform as best as I can for Malaysia. “My target will be to complete the race, as I have no experience competing in such a high-level event. Insya-Allah, I will try my best…,” she said when contacted by Bernama.
She also admitted to being thrilled — and surprised — to be competing in the Olympics as no one expected Malaysia to earn an automatic slot in Paris 2024.
On Thursday, the Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) announced Nur Aisyah to represent Malaysia at the Olympics after receiving information from the International Cycling Union (UCI) that Malaysia has been given a spot as Asia’s representative for the women’s road racing event based on ranking.
Nur Aisyah won two silver medals in the individual and team road race events and a bronze in criterium at the Hanoi SEA Games last year, as well as two bronze medals at the Cambodia SEA Games in May this year, through the individual mass start and criterium events.
In the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held in China from Sept 23 to Oct 8, Nur Aisyah finished the mass start event in 11th spot and also finished among the top 10 riders at the 2023 Tour of Biwase Vietnam and the Tour of Thailand in 2022 and 2023, in addition to six gold medals in the 2018 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak.
Meanwhile, national women’s road racing coach Amir Mustafa Rusli said he has already mapped out a detailed training programme for Nur Aisyah so that she can handle the challenges that come her way in Paris.
According to the information issued by the organisers, the 158-kilometre (km) road race, which will start and end in Trocadero, will pass through hilly terrains in the Chevreuse Valley and Montmartre highlands, besides the iconic Eiffel Tower. “The route is very hilly and there will be a lot of climbs, but the hills are not too high. The target for Aisyah is to complete the race and finish among the main pack.
“Based on the plan, we want to send her to the Tour of Biwase next February, the Tour of Thailand in April and finally training and classic races, one-day races which are of the highest quality in Europe from May.
We are also looking at the Asia Tour,” said Amir, who has been handling the women’s team since 2019. Amir, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, said the Olympics is a very tough assignment and the biggest meet Nur Aisyah has competed in is the Asian Road Cycling Championships, adding that’s why she will need to undergo intensive preparations. – BERNAMA
