BUKIT JALIL — National road cycling team captain Muhammad Zawawi Azman is making a triumphant comeback to competitive cycling.
After announcing his retirement from the sport, Zawawi’s return is fueled by a powerful sentiment, “I trust you.”
These words, spoken by his coach, rekindled his passion for cycling and convinced him to don his racing gear once more.
Zawawi will now spearhead the national team’s quest at tomorrow’s highly anticipated Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) event.
The 29-year-old was a member of Team Sapura Cycling which ceased operations in June due to the challenges of securing new sponsorships.
“I have not participated in LTdL for a long time and many factors played a part.
“Covid-19, the issues with Team Sapura Cycling… in that time I also got married and started a family.
“I got frustrated with the lack of opportunities to the point I decided to take a break from the sport,” said the most experienced rider in the national set-up.
During his time away from cycling, Zawawi resumed his role in the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and cherished moments spent with his family.
However, his chance to rejoin the cycling world emerged in June at the Asian Track Cycling Championships (ATCC), held at the National Velodrome in Nilai.
There, Zawawi encountered an old coach who persuaded him to participate and support the younger talents.
During training sessions, national team coach Mohd Yusuf Abdul Nasir observed Zawawi’s performance.
“Coach asked me ‘Do you want to take part in LTdL? I can submit your name if you want to’.
“But he mentioned he can’t select me based on previous results. I have to go through a selection process like everyone else.
“I didn’t mind that as I didn’t want to be selected if I wasn’t good enough,” he said.
Zawawi welcomed the challenge, as he wanted to earn his place on merit.
“I then asked if I could attend the selection… Yusuf said ‘Yes you can because I trust you’,” added Zawawi when met recently.
Zawawi admitted that these words from his coach stirred his emotions and served as the driving force behind his determination to secure a spot in the LTdL lineup.
With his sights set on the coveted white jersey, Zawawi, who has been singled out by Yusuf as a strong contender, asserts that he is back to peak performance.
“My conditioning is good, I’ve put in the hard work. Recently, during Tour of Gateh, I surprised myself by keeping pace with the leading riders.
“I’m targeting a podium finish and, if possible, a stage win. I also want to be competitive going up Genting Highlands so I can place myself in the overall standings,” said Zawawi.
The ProSeries tour begins tomorrow, with the first stage starting in Kereh and ending in Kuala Terengganu. — September 22, 2023
