Harrif ends career, inspiring next generation of cyclists

Moment to remember: Harrif Saleh was named the Best Asean Rider at the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) last year.

KUALA LUMPUR: Devotion knows no bounds. Harrif Saleh, perhaps the best road sprinter Malaysia has ever seen on the international scene, fittingly chose to end his competitive career with the team where his professional career started.

The Malaysian cycling great announced his retirement as a professional rider with Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) yesterday, for whom he has raced since the UCI continental team were first formed in 2011.

With TSG, the 37-year-old has enjoyed plenty of success, earning a reputation as one of Malaysia’s most prolific professional cyclists with more than 20 UCI Stage wins under his belt.

Among his proudest moments was becoming the only Malaysian to win three Le Tour de Langkawi stages — the most by a local rider in the tour’s history.

He claimed his first stage victory in 2019, winning Stage 2 from Senawang to Melaka, before following up with two more wins the following year — Stage 5 from Kuala Kubu Baru to Ipoh and Stage 7 from Bagan to Alor Setar.

Harrif is also the first Malaysian road cyclist to win a race on European soil, achieving the feat back in 2021 at the Grand Prix Manavgat in Turkiye.

Before starting out his pro career with TSG, Terengganu-born Harrif was also an accomplished rider for Malaysia on the track. He bagged gold in the men’s elite scratch race at the 2007 Asian Cycling Championships in Thailand.

Harrif has also won five SEA Games gold medals throughout his career – on the track and road as well.

“I think it’s enough for me. I may no longer have the same power I have at my peak but cycling is very much in my heart, so I go away with no regrets.

“Fifteen years with TSG, the high and low moments, the tears of joy and sadness, we went through everything as one family.

“Thanks to my friends and family who have never stopped backing me, whether through the high or low moments,” said Harrif, who also urged the current generation of riders be given greater exposure to live up to their potential.

“My advice to them is once you decided to get into this sport, give your full commitment and there are no shortcuts.

“Never give up and avoid staying in the comfort zone. If you have won a race, keep working harder and strive for greater heights,” said Harrif, whose last notable achievement for TSG was a second-place podium finish at the International Alanya Castle Criterium in Turkiye last year.

Malaysian National Cycling Federation president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill wished Harrif happy retirement.

“Thank you to our legend Harrif Saleh for your contribution, sacrifice and dedication to the sport of cycling in Malaysia.”

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

Gold in scratch at 2007 Asian Track Championships

Gold in team pursuit at 2007 SEA Games

Gold in scratch and team pursuit at 2011 SEA Games

First overall points classification in 2012 Tour of Vietnam

First overall points classification in 2013 Jelajah Malaysia

First overall points classification in 2014 Jelajah Malaysia

Gold in criterium and road race at 2011 SEA Games

Gold in criterium at 2017 SEA Games

First in Stage 2 at 2019 Le Tour de Langkawi

First in Stage 5 and 7 at 2020 Le Tour de Langkawi

First in 2021 Grand Prix Manavgat, Turkiye