New Joe grabs headlines with two gold in 2023 National Cycling Road race

MELAKA - Kuala Lumpur Cycling Team's young rider Lau New Joe once again created a sensation when he grabbed his second gold medal at the 2023 National Cycling Championships in Bukit Katil here today.

After winning the junior individual time trial (ITT) yesterday, Lau once again displayed a mesmerising ride to the gold in the men’s massed start event which began and ended at SMK Bukit Katil here.

"Honestly, I myself did not expect to win the gold medal in this event (with many teenage racers) because I was still tired after racing in the ITT event yesterday (Friday). Before the race, the coach (Datuk Ng Joo Ngan) told me not to put pressure on myself... So I just followed his plan from the beginning to the end of the race. I’m elated as I could maintain the pace to win," he said here today.

In the 104-kilometre race, New Joe crossed the finish line first with a final solo sprint to record 2 hours 25 minutes 36 seconds, leaving behind two Terengganu riders Tengku Muhammad Najib Tengku Norizan and Muhammad Adam Ramdzan Razali who shared a time of 2:35.52s.

Lau said his victory today was a bonus as he did not set any targets. "I just stayed in the front group before separating myself from the other riders in the last lap,” he said.

Meanwhile, Johor rider Intan Suraya Tokiman emerged as champion in the women's junior category (78km) in 2:34.44s, followed by Terengganu’s Dahlia Hazwani Hasyim (2:34.44s) and another Johor rider, Dania Avriel Alviera Azif (2:34.53s).

In the men's Under-23 category (156km), Terengganu’s Muhamad Iqbal Daniel won the gold medal with a solo sprint to the finish line after recording 3:59.23s. Silver and bronze went to Team Aquatwo Cyclomotion (TAC) rider Muhammad Iskandariah Media Mohd Hashim (3:59.27s) and Perak’s Mohammad Faiz Fakhri Omar (3:59.32s).

The last day of racing tomorrow will see five more events with the main focus on the last race -- the elite men’s and women’s massed start. - Bernama