The national cycling team received a confidence boost ahead of next month's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar after dominating the Century Cycling Race in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.
Brunei clinched the top four spots in the Road Men's Open Elite category and also topped the Mountain Bike (MTB) Men's Open Elite category.
Ahmad Rifa'ie Hj Johor led the way in the Road Men's Open Elite category followed by I'maadi Abd Aziz, Azmi@ Loqman Hadzid and Reduan Yusop respectively.
The top-three cyclists recorded the same time of 2:37.16.656 during the 103-kilometre race which started and ended at the Likas Sports Complex.
Reduan Yusop finished ahead of Sabah's Mohd Suhaidzan Rayim in a photo-finish, with both clocking 2:39.55.850.
Muhammad Raihaan Abd Aziz crossed the line first in the MTB Men's Open Elite after coming in at 2:23:09.019 to pip local Nicklos Minol, who came in on 2:23:09.619 in the 84km race.
Sabah state cyclist Stanly Jalip Jr took third on 2:23:10.000 followed by Johny Ngongoly and another Bruneian Muhd Nurjamri Johari.
National cyclist coach Yafiz Jamaludin heaped praise on his charges, especially those in the road event.
"My riders are in good condition and now winning this race has made them even more confident," said Yafiz in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"I hope that their morale will be superb going into the SEA Games.
For me it is not only about the results but about how they got them," he added.
"They showed me a good performance.
"They know how to race and manage the race to finish in top position," continued the Malaysian.
The national team departed for Kundasang, Sabah on October 30 for high altitude training and will continue to do so till December 6.
The two-month long training is to allow the riders to peak ahead of the 27th edition of the biennial Games in Myanmar next month.
Brunei are set to take part in five different events in the cycling competition in Myanmar.
I'maadi, Muhammad Raihaan and Muhammad Rafiuddin Zikara will take part in the cross country Olympics while Azmi, 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 cyclists will enter the individual road race and team road race disciplines.
