Brunei's Reduan rides to gold in the Philippines

Brunei's Reduan Yusof (C) posing with his medal after winning last week's Philippines Cycling League season opener. Reduan is currently riding for Filipino team JAC Motor and will participate in the 2nd round of the league on March 18.Picture: Courtesy of Reduan Yusof

BY JASON THOMAS

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - REDUAN Yusof is a prime example of a national cyclist who has what it takes to propel Brunei's growing reputation on the regional stage.

Riding for Filipino team JAC Motor at last week's Philippines Cycling League season opener, the team's newest recruit surprised even himself by winning the event in what was his first time cycling for the club.

He isn't about to rest on his laurels though.

"I'm happy with the result and I will try (to win again) in the second edition on March 18," he told The Brunei Times yesterday.

"This is my first season riding for the team. Though they are not an International Cycling Union (UCI) continental team, they are quite strong and they have helped me a lot," added the 34-year-old.

The winner was the first cyclist to complete an hour plus three more laps around the circuit. Reduan said he cycled a total of around 44km.

The victory goes to prove that the Sultanate has a strong base of national riders who are capable of attracting attention from teams based outside the country. 

Brunei's first professional cycling club, CCN, was formed late last year and includes six national riders.

A UCI continental cycling team, CCN are based in Brunei and were registered by the world body in October.

The victory also shows that not only can the country produce cyclists who can compete on the regional stage, they are also able to challenge for top honours.

The result will also help national coach Yafiz Jamaludin make up for the heartbreak at last week's Asian Cycling Championships (ACC) in Kuala Lumpur, where he saw arguably the country's best rider Raihaan Abd Aziz succumb to cramps in the 180km elite men's road race.

All the more painful was the fact that Raihaan who is a CCN member was in pole position before he was forced to pull out, handing the national team a huge blow in what Yafiz said was his biggest test since he took charge in early 2010.

Though he is now donning the JAC Motor colours, Reduan said he isn't going to turn his back on the national team.

"I'm still training with the national team and will ride for them if they ask me to it's just that my priority this year is towards JAC Motor," he said.

"I didn't sign a contract with JAC Motor they are not a professional team. But I'm riding with them to get some experience and exposure.

"I have my own bike but they are sponsoring everything else. Repairs, accommodation, entry fee..." added Reduan.

Reduan said he was approached by JAC Motor's manager during a trip to the Philippines with the national team last May and was offered an opportunity to ride for them when he met the team's owner during a holiday in Manila in December. 

Also on the JAC Motor calendar for Reduan is a tournament in Chinese Taipei in April.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times