Siti Nur Alia becomes first Malaysian woman to join world acclaimed cycling team

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu cyclist Siti Nur Alia Mansor is still living the dream after she became the first Malaysian woman cyclist to be recruited for a professional road cycling team.

Siti has signed on as a rider for Canyon-SRAM Racing Team, which is based in Spain.

The 21-year-old will leave for Spain on Jan 13 to sign a one-year contract and was relishing the chance to ride in the UCI Women's World Tour one day.

"It's like a dream come true for me to sign for and to ride with the world’s fifth-ranked women’s cycling team.

"I was contacted by Adam Szabo, the former Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) coach who is now coaching the Canyon-SRAM Racing Team in June last year. He told me he was interested in signing me up for the team.

"I took about a month to think about my future and cycling career development before agreeing to it," said Siti.

Her state has stepped forward to provide an allowance of RM3,000 to help her settle down in Europe.

Even though she was excited about cycling abroad, the 2018 Malaysia Games (Sukma) silver and bronze medallist cyclist can't help but feel nervous about the prospect of cycling with her more experienced teammates.

"This will be a stepping stone or start for me to chase bigger dreams, like competing at the Olympics.

"I hope to repay the sacrifices made by my family, coaches and the Terengganu cycling fraternity by bringing glory to Terengganu and Malaysia at the world stage one day.