M'sian Rider Amir Mustafa Hopes To Be Picked For London

By Farhanah Azmi KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Drapac Professional Cycling team rider Amir Mustafa Rusli's name might not be as popular as other riders, but he remains confident of making it to the London Olympics merely based on his credentials. Despite murmurs that Mohamad Adiq Hussainie Othman and Mohd Harrif Salleh would be the obvious choice to London, the 25-year-old climb specialist from Dungun, Terengganu (east coast state of Malaysia) remains optimistic of clinching one of the two slots to London. "It is definitely my hope to represent the country in the Olympics. My team (Drapac Professional Cycling) is also hoping to see me in action at the London Olympics," Amir told Bernama when contacted in Belgium. Amir Mustafa is among five road race cyclists short listed by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) for the two slots allocated by the International Cycling Union (UCI) for the Olympics. Apart from Amir Mustafa, Mohd Zamri Salleh and his younger brother Mohd Harrif from the Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) plus Mohamad Adiq Hussainie Othman and Anuar Manan from Champion System are also on the list. "Competition in the Olympics is very tough because it features the best riders in the world. If I am selected, I hope to do my best because I am already prepared. "Malaysia are only given two slots compared with four for other countries and due to the predicament we will now have to compete against each other," he said. Amir Mustafa who is currently with Australian outfit, Drapac Professional Cycling, said he has been competing in many races held in Europe, especially Belgium, France and Holland. "Right now I am involved in a number of competitions in Belgium. Many races that I am competing now are pro kermesse status races with a distance of 200km. "Competitions here (Europe) differ with those in Asia and even Australia and I have been able to learn gain new experiences," he said. He added that competition route for the London Olympics would also involve be mountainous and exceed 200km. So, every race that I participate helps me to improve my capability." In London, the men's category will involve 145 riders over a 250km route involving nine loops over a hilly area in Box Hill. Meanwhile, the MNCF are expected to announce the names of the two riders on June 15, based on their performances, achievement and recommendation of head coach John Beasley. Malaysia will be competing in road races at the Olympics for only the second after having competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics in Germany. -- BERNAMA