Locals claim victory at city council cycling event

The MBPJ-Selangor Criterium 2024 showcases the growing popularity of cycling in Malaysia.

PETALING Jaya transformed into a high-speed cycling circuit as the MBPJ-Selangor Criterium 2024 roared to life.

Over 500 cyclists from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia descended upon the city, eager to race on the 1.1km course around Menara MBPJ.

The event, which offered a total prize pool of RM38,000, saw intense competition across seven categories.

The streets of Jalan Yong Shook Lin, Jalan Selangor and Jalan Sultan were closed to traffic, creating a thrilling urban race track.

The highlight of the day was the Men’s Elite category, flagged off by the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

A nail-biting finish saw Irwandi Lakasek from the Armed Forces Cycling Team emerge victorious, edging out Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah from Malaysia Pro Cycling by a mere second. Zulhelmi Zainal from Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) team rounded out the podium in third place.

It was a tight race in the category, with the top five riders separated by only seconds after 50 intense laps.

Muhamad Iqbal Daniel Mohd Nawawi from Raudah Cahaya Foundation and Mohamad Saari Amri Abd Rasim from Malaysia Pro Cycling secured the fourth and fifth spot respectively.

The other categories also delivered thrilling action. Muhamad Hakimi Haiqal Sabri, Mohd Zamri Salleh and Mohamed Elyas claimed the top three spots in the Men’s B category.

In the Men’s C category, Ben Mohd Rizdee, Muhamad Fadzli Mohd Hashim and Khairul Abdullah secured the podium positions.

In the women’s races, Nur Aisyah Muhammad Zubir, Yeong Zhen Yi and Nur Fitrah Shaari dominated the Women’s A category, while Noor Azian Alias, Anissa Jaffar and Dagreat Izzura dominated the podium in the Women’s B category respectively.

Mohd Razif Mohd Salleh, Muhammad Iqbal Daniel and Nasrul Firas Ridzuan topped the Fixed Gear Open category.

Present at the event were Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon and Selangor Islamic and cultural innovation committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah.