29 October 2017 - Five cyclists of UTB Cycling Team participated at the annual Varsity Cycling Challenge (VCC2017) event which took place at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) Main Campus, Durian Tunggal recently on 29 October 2017. The team consist of Dr Fahmi Ibrahim, Prof. Dr Eric Dimla, Zainidi Abd Hamid, Osman Suhaile and Syazwi Azhar. More than 500 participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines participated in the event.
At the race, Dr Fahmi, Zainidi Abd Hamid, Osman Suhaile and Syazwi Azhar (a PhD candidate) were racing the 85 kilometers for the UTeM route - Jalan Kesang Pajak - Jalan Kemendor - Pekan Selandar - Batang Melaka - Jalan Tebong - Air Pasir Village - Machap Baru and Melaka Pindah then through Jalan Alor Gajah Lama - Kampung Belimbing Dalam - Durian Tunggal and end at UTeM. Meanwhile, Prof Dr Eric Dimla went for VIP category the 45 km route, started from UTeM to Auyin Hill - Machap Baru - Melaka Move - Alor. Old Road and Belimbing Dalam - Durian Tunggal and UTeM Road.
“It was tough parcours with undulating route that include a number of steep climbs along the way that made the race challenging. It was far different than road where we trained in Brunei” Dr Fahmi Ibrahim, UTB Team Manager commented.
He also added that the team had done reasonable training prior to the race but was hampered by raining season in Brunei for number of days. Nevertheless, the result showed the team did quite well considering the level of the race which was very competitive.
Dr Fahmi Ibrahim managed to be in the 6th position in his category where he lost in ‘bunch sprint’ 10 seconds gap with the 5th rider that cost him a podium finish.
“I am bit disappointed for not being able to achieve my personal target to win the medal but I am very happy with my performance as there are quite a number of strong riders out there at the competition” said Dr Fahmi Ibrahim.
Meanwhile Syazwi, the sole representative for student category managed to finish in the 16th place.
“The race was quite competitive where my average speed was 41 km/h. It was not easy as most Malaysian University students are National riders and have more experience. Basically I was racing against top riders who won gold medal Sea Games recently” comment Syazwi.
Prof Dr Eric Dimla was in the 11th place of the VIP Category. Zainidi and Osman finished 31st and 36th respectively in the Veteran IPT Category.
The Team also added that the spirit of the competition and teamwork, and the results obtained by the riders hopefully can be an inspiration to the students to do well not only in academics but also in their exra co-curricular activities.
The team is already planning to return next year and win the race with better training and preparations.
