KUALA LUMPUR: National mountain bike coach Nor Alfizar Othman is hoping her charges will shine on home soil when they compete in the Asian Championships in Putrajaya from May 8 to 12.
With homeground advantage on their side, Alfizar said the squad are aiming for the podium in the cross-country relay (XCR) on Wednesday.
"We managed to win bronze in this event during the 2022 edition in South Korea so the goal is to at least equal that," said Alfizar when contacted today.
"Of course we will be trying to win the race. We have never won gold in the Asian MTB Championships so it would be historic if we won.
"The Putrajaya course is slightly longer at 5.3 kilometres, which is about one kilometre longer than the norm, and also does not have many high jumps.
"This should suit our riders better. We are also hoping to win medals in the men's and women's Under-23 and women's junior (Under-18) cross country (individual) events."
The XCR race will feature three male and three female riders from each nation. Alfizar has selected three riders for the event – Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah, Syawal Mazlin and Phi Kun Pan.
"We will select the rest of the team closer to the event, we only have to name the team on the day itself," said Alfizar.
"We have to keep our cards close and use the element of surprise. We are expecting China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia to be strong in this XCR category."
A total of 29 Malaysian riders will be competing in the Asian meet. The squad showed strong form at the XCO Helaz Mountain Bike Series One in Dungun, Terengganu, last month.
Nur Fitrah Shaari, who won the women's elite race in Dungun, is also in the squad but will be competing in the women's Under-23 category this time.