9 January 2012, SEPANG: Former national cyclist turned businessman Sayuti Zahit edged Arus Cycling Team's Shawal Shaffee to bag victory in the Folding Bike Jamboree 2012 men's open final at the Sepang International Go-Kart Circuit on Sunday.
Sayuti, 26, pipped Shawal in a nail-biting finish to end a dramatic race, which saw the country's first ever folding bike race winner Azhar Zulaily crash after three laps of the final to finish fourth, behind Azrul Hafidz Awang, elder brother of national track cycling star Azizulhasni.
Shawal had earlier set a new record inthe 100m folding bike sprint when he clocked 9.609 seconds.
In the women's section, Ch'ng Kai Nee surprised everyone by coming decked in jeans and a shirt to sweep both the 100m sprint in a time of 13.426s and the women's open final race. In the six lap final, Kai Nee finished three seconds ahead of second placed Teo Tze Ping. Zoe Kee was another 31 seconds adrift.
The event, held in conjunction with a go-green campaign promoted by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) was the first in a string of events planned for folding bike enthusiasts this year, as the campaign to encourage the public to turn to folding bikes as an economical and environmentally friendly mode of transport, which is easily combined with the use of public transportation such as the LRT and KL Monorail provided in the Klang Valley by Prasarana.
Organiser Well Tan said the number of participants in the event has doubled, showing the growth in both interest and use of folding bikes among the masses.
"The first ever event which was the Folding Bike Fun Ride we organised at the Speedway PLUS Circuit in Subang Jaya, attracted about 46 entries. This time around the participants have doubled. This shows that people are definitely getting the message and taking to folding bikes," said Well.
The event was supported by the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), with chief executive officer Dato' Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali stating the circuit's willingness to support such moves and provide the venue for future events of such nature.
"It seems like a good thing and we will definitely support such efforts. We also want to look into how we can see it grow, as we're also regularly hosting a number of cycling events at the SIC," said Dato' Ahmad Razlan.
The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) and Kuala Lumpur Cycling Association (KLCA) provided the technical support for the event and both stated their eagerness to see more events for folding bike enthusiasts being held and promoted throughout the Klang Valley.
KLCA secretary Firdaus Arshad said the association is now willing to look into assisting go-green campaigns to promote the use of folding bikes and bicycles in general as healthier and greener modes of transport in the city.
"Firstly, we would like to see how we can incorporate folding bikes into our regular cycling events so as to give the enthusiasts more exposure and for the public to become more aware of the benefits of it," said Firdaus.
"We would also like to meet with those involved to see what sort of events and campaigns to raise awareness which the KLCA can be part of. We should bring these events to the middle of the city so that the public get to have a closer look. There's a lot more we can do."
RESULTS
Kids < 8 yrs old -- Nicholas Yong
Kids < 12 yrs old -- Joshua Yong
100m Sprint Men -- Mohd Shawal Bin Mohd Shaffe -- 9"609s
100m Sprint Women -- Ch'ng Kai Nie -- 13"426s
Men – 6 laps
Champion -- Mohd Sayuti Bin Zahit --11'01"180s
1st Runner-up -- Mohd Shawal Bin Mohd Shaffe -- 11'01"783
2nd Runner-up -- Mohd Azrul Bin Hafidz -- 12'05"160
Women - 6 laps
Champion -- Ch'ng Kai Nie -- 15'26"836
1st Runner-up -- Teo Tze Ping -- 15'29"048
2nd Runner-up -- Zoe Kee -- 16'02"785
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