National cycling coach Yafiz Jamaludin is ready to embark on the next step of training for his charges in preparation for December's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The coach took home a number of positives after last week's Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC).
Two of the SEA Games riders, Muhammad Raihaan Abd Aziz and Muhammad Rafiuddin Zikara finished in 32nd and 56th respectively.
Muhammad Raihaan completed the competition with a total time of 12:35:56 while Muhammad Rafiuddin crossed the like just one hour behind with a time of 13:37:38.
Mohd Nurjamri Johari who also competed in the race ended with 42nd on 13:14:33.
I'maadi Abd Aziz, Ahmad Rifa'ie Hj Johor, Azmi@Loqman Hadzid and Reduan Yusop are the other four SEA Games riders that moved into Sungai Kebun Sports Complex yesterday for their intensive training.
Yafiz's schedule will see the team stay there till October 30th.
The national team will then head to Kundasang, Sabah, for high altitude training from October 30th to December 6th.
The two-month long training will allow the riders to peak just in time for the SEA Games in Myanmar.
Yafiz told The Brunei Times, "After returning from the LIMBC, I have found a lot of weaknesses in my cyclists compared to those from the other top ASEAN countries."
"The ASEAN countries that competed were Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar and Singapore. Our top contenders (in the LIMBC) were Thailand and Indonesia for the ASEAN country rankings," said the coach.
"We stayed in the top five for the rankings so I know who our best challengers will be at the SEA Games," added Yafiz.
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos did not send any of their national cyclists for the LIMBC.
"Even though Vietnam didn't join, I know that they have some strong riders," said Yafiz.
"The other three countries to look out for in the SEA Games are Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia," he added.
Brunei are set to take part in five different events in Myanmar.
I'maadi, Muhammad Raihaan and Muhammad Rafiuddin will be taking on the cross country Olympics.
Loqman, I'maadi, Reduan and Ahmad Rifa'ie will take part in the team time trial.
Muhammad Raihaan will be the only national rider in the individual team trial.
All six riders will enter the individual road race and team road race.
