TSG optimistic of defending UCI's Asian champion title

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Continental cycling team Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) are confident of being able to defend the title of Asia’s number one team in the International Cycling Union (UCI) ranking this season.

TSG chief executive officer Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin Che Ku Mahmood said the confidence was based on TSG's current comfortable position in front the second place team, with a difference of 500 points.

"We still have four series of races namely in Iran, Taiwan and Japan as well as the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) before the end of this season in October. Looking at the current position, we are on the right track to finish the competition as Asia’s number one team.

"The remaining four races are to maintain the performance of the riders and collect more points to improve the position in the world ranking," he said after the signing ceremony of the sponsorship contract between TSG and Terengganu Incorporated Sdn Bhd here yesterday.

He said the Kuala Terengganu-based team was also optimistic of being able to finish the race in the top three continental teams.

TSG chief operating officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus said the team also aimed for a podium finish and one jersey in LTdL, scheduled to be held from Oct 11 to 18.

"For LTdL, we will have four import riders and two local riders, including our main riders who are also climb specialists, namely Anatoli Budiak, Metkel Eyob, Jambaljam Sainbayar, Youcef Reguigui, Harrif Salleh and Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki," he said.

He said the six riders would participate in races in Iran and Taiwan in early October as a warm-up session before the action at LTdL.

Meanwhile, TSG received a sponsorship injection of RM2 million in cash from the Terengganu Inc Sdn. Bhd.

Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin said TSG had secured sponsorships worth RM11 million in various forms including cash, services and materials for the next season.

Che Ku Mohd Izmuddin said it was highest amount ever recorded since the establishment of the team in 2011.

"We aim that in the next five years TSG will have its own administrative complex which will certainly raise the team's image and prestige," he said.

Terengganu Inc executive director Burhanuddin Hilmi Mohamed said the sponsorship for five consecutive years allows the professional cycling team to continue its momentum of excellence in the 2023 season.

He said the amount of sponsorship was increased by RM500,000 following TSG's excellent performance and success in winning the UCI Asia Tour title last year.

-- BERNAMA