KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — It has been a 10-year drought for the national cycling team as it last bagged a gold medal at the 2005 Manila SEA Games courtesy of Suhardi Hassan. 

Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said it was high time the team ended its barren spell at next month’s Singapore Games.

“We’re optimistic the squad will win two golds in the criterium and men’s road events,” said Naim.

MNCF will be sending Anuar Manan, Mohd Hariff Salleh, Mohd Zamri Salleh and Mohd Adiq Husaine, all experienced riders, to represent the country. 

“Senior rider Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi is also capable of contributing a medal despite having just recovered from a hand injury, which he sustained during training in March,” said Naim. 

Naim believes Terengganu sprinter Anuar Manan will be successful in Singapore as he is one of the best cyclists in the country.

“He’s getting married next week. A gold medal would be a great gift.

“We’re counting on him and I hope he makes us proud,” said Naim.

Anuar, a member of the TSG cycling team, is up for the challenge and is confident of success.

“I’m 100 per cent ready. I’m training well and have good chemistry with my teammates. I’m not overconfident but I know I can do this,” said Anuar, who counts Indonesia and Vietnam as Malaysia’s greatest challengers. 

Anuar said he is eager to clinch his first gold in Singapore and prove Malaysia is the best in the region.

“During my debut in 2005, I finished second to Suhardi. I struggled to shine in my second appearance in Korat (2007),” he said.

“This is my third time competing and I’m hungry for gold. It’s been too long since we won gold so I’m determined to win one for Malaysia.”

Anuar, 28, will marry Maizura Kamar, 22, in Ampang tomorrow. After the games, he plans on spending his honeymoon in Hawaii.

“I’ll be leaving for the Games the day after my wedding. My wife-to-be has sacrificed a lot and I plan to dedicate the gold medal to her if I win,” he said.

Besides Anuar, Naim said former rider Rizal Tisin, who is coaching the women’s team, is doing a good job.

“I’m confident his charges Ju Pha Som Nett and Nurul Sahada Zainal will deliver a medal.

“In short, we want to end our gold medal drought. I hope our talented and experienced riders will achieve this aim,” he said.

Dates: June 6-9

Venue: Marina Barrage Route

Golds on offer: Six

Association target: Two gold medals

Mailsport prediction: Two gold medals

Last result: One silver (men’s road race) and

one bronze (men’s individual time trial) medals

The squad 

Men: Anuar Manan, Mohd Hariff Salleh, Mohd Zamri Salleh, Mohd Saiful Anuar Aziz, Muhammad Adiq Husainie Othman and Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi.

Women: Nurul Suhada Zainal and Ju Pha Som Nett.

Coaches: Rizal Tisin and Sebastian Dudos.