KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s newest International Cycling Union (UCI) continental team, Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC), was launched today in a ceremony in Putrajaya.
The team has been successfully registered with the Malaysia National Cycling Federation as well as the UCI and they will begin racing next year.
The team is founded by former national rider and experienced team principal Mohd Sayuti Mohd Zahit.
MPC is backed by marquee sponsors Herlaz, Damar Impex, MZSB, N8, Rudy Project, MVR Racing, KCNC, CurrexSole, Specialized, Shimano, Lazer, Pro, Wahoo, all of whom have pledged their support for the next two years.
MPC is the evolution of Team Sapura Cycling which was founded by Sayuti in 2017.
Some of Sapura’s best results were two Yellow and one Red Jersey in Le Tour de Langkawi in 2019 and 2020.
The team, which was backed by oil and gas giant Sapura, also ended the 2020 season ranked number 1 in the UCI Asia Tour.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh officiated the ceremony in Putrajaya today.
“I commend MPC for its efforts to prepare riders for the SEA Games 2025 in the short-term while in the long-term to provide riders for SEA Games 2027, 2029, Asian Games and LTdL,” she said.
Sayuti said that MPC’s main objective is to provide promising Malaysian riders with the platform to excel at the international level.
“The goal is to give talented Malaysian riders the support, guidance and opportunities they need to fulfil their potential,” he said.
“Our training programme will place a strong emphasis on sports science to ensure our riders achieve optimal performance.
“We will also make sure they have plenty of opportunities to compete in both local and international races to develop their racecraft and give them the experience they need.
“Ultimately, we want to produce Malaysia riders who are not only able to do the nation proud at competitions such as the SEA Games and Asian Games but can one day go on to compete in Grand Tours such as the Tour de France.”
MPC’s rider line-up consists of both familiar as well as new faces.
Among the experienced riders in the squad are Muhammad Zawawi Bin Azman, Akmal Hakim Bin Zakaria, and Saari Amri Bin Abd Rasim.
Among the exciting young talents in the squad is Muhammad Faiz Fakhri Bin Omar.
The team’s coaching line-up is comprised of Mohd Sayuti Mohd Zahit and Azlan Jamalludin.
MPC will make its debut appearance at the Tour of Terengganu on September 4-8. — August 20, 2023