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Sports

Monday August 31, 2009

Cycling: Porsche power for young Adiq

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Youngster Adiq Husainie Othman will be put on a fast track to cycling success.

The 18-year-old, who bagged the country’s first-ever world junior championship medal when he took bronze in the scratch race in Moscow earlier this month, has been promoted to the elite squad.

And Adiq is not just leaving for Melbourne next week but has also been accepted to go on attachment with Australia-based Drapac Porsche team.

The Malaysia National Cycling Federation deputy president, Datuk Naim Mohamad, said that the one-year attachment with the professional cycling outfit was sealed through contacts of the national team’s Australian coach John Beasley.

Adiq Husainie Othman

“He has recommended that Adiq be moved to the training base in order for him to move up the ranks,” said Naim.

“He saw tremendous potential in the youngster and gave him the opportunity to ride at the world junior meet as it had been a long time since Malaysia send a rider for the championships.

“It will do Adiq a lot of good to be with a professional team as he will improve not just on physical fitness but also his approach to racing.

“Beasley felt that Adiq would have a better future in road racing. He will still do the endurance track races and may get to compete in the World Cup, depending on the schedule.”

Adiq has just finished a successful outing in the Asian championships and he was the most outstanding Malaysian performer in the junior category races, winning three medals.

Adiq won a silver in the individual road race and he bagged bronze medals in the track competitions from the madison, in which he partnered Zulhilmie Afif Ahmad Zamri, and the scratch events.

Adiq’s rostrum finishes in the world and Asian junior competitions have earned Malaysia four quota spots for the road cycling world championships, which will be held in Mendrisio, Switzerland, from Sept 23-27.

The championships comprise elite and Under-23 competitions (for road race and individual road time trial).

“We are shortlisting the riders for the world championships as we have to look at the route conditions first,” said Naim.

“But Adiq is definitely going for it. Although he is much younger compared to those riding in the Under-23 races, it will be a good experience for him.”

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