Sunday January 20, 2013
Malaysia’s Anuar bags OCBC Criterium title
By LIM TEIK HUAT
Race winner: Anuar Manan celebrating after winning the Men’s Open Criterium at the OCBC Cycle Malaysia event yesterday. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian sprinter Anuar Manan gave himself a flying start to his cycling season by winning the Men’s Open Criterium at the OCBC Cycle Malaysia held around the city yesterday.
Cheered on by the vocal crowd, he triumphed ahead of Australia’s Stephen Hall (Arbitrage Wormall) and compatriot Mohd Zamri bin Salleh, representing Armed Forces Cycling Team.
Nor Amirull Fakhruddin of Terengganu Pro Asia Cycling Team was crowned the King of Sprints over the five designated sprint laps around the 1.7km circuit to cap off a strong showing by Malaysian riders.
Anuar, who took home RM1,500 for his efforts, will be riding for new team from Azerbaijan this year and was delighted to cap a perfect start to his season.
“I have not taken part in any race since last October. I will be going off to Melbourne on Monday to train with my new team for four weeks before coming back for the Tour de Langkawi. I hope this will be the start of better things to come.
“It was a hard fought victory as the Criterium today had really strong local and foreign riders. Fortunately, I was able to maintain my focus and come out in front,” said Anuar, the 2010 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) points competition winner.
Anuar’s contract with the Pro Continental team Champion System was not renewed last year and he is definitely eyeing to make his presence felt in the Tour de Langkawi next month.
On his prospects in the upcoming Tour de Langkawi, he added: “The competitive race today definitely helps in my training. I would say I’m about 60% ready at the moment.”
The Mens Open Criterium capped off a great first day for OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013, Malaysia’s largest mass participation event on closed public roads.
Earlier in the day, national cyclist Mariana Mohamad came out tops in the Women’s Open Criterium. Commissioned and sanctioned by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).
The race better known as Formula 1 on bicycles is divided into three categories – the Women’s Open which is open to women aged 18, the Master’s Criterium for males aged 40 and above, and the Men’s Open Criterium, which targets males above 18 years of age.
Results
Men’s Open Criterium: 1. Anuar Manan, 2. Stephen Hall, 3. Mohd Zamri Salleh.
Women’s Open Criterium: 1. Mariana binti Mohamad, 2. Noor Azian Alias, 3. Dee
Boy’s Masters Criterium: 1. Danny Feng, 2. Tony Harvey, 3. Michael Duane.
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