Loh Sea Keong optimistic of Chances in Tour Of Borneo

National cyclist, Loh Sea Keong who won the 2013 Jelajah Malaysia when representing the OCBC Singapore Continental cycling Team, remains optimistic of his chances as he heads to Kota Kinabalu for the second edition of the Tour of Borneo, from Aug 18 to 22.

"It has been just 'R n R' (rest and recovery) for me after the Jelajah Malaysia and the Tour of Borneo is like the first race of the season," said Sea Keong, who hails from Kuala Krai, Kelantan.

The 27-year old cyclist is currently a more recognizable figure around Malaysia after his historic triumph in the Jelajah Malaysia last June, since he became the first Malaysian rider ever to win an UCI Asia Tour overall title.

Expectations will be high on Sea Keong when he starts the Tour of Borneo campaign, with many local followers of the sport now looking up to him to deliver another remarkable result.

Among his career highlights this year are two stage wins in the Tour of Singkarak and Tour of Thailand before bagging the Jelajah Malaysia overall title.

"I know expectations will be high, but I've not allowed this to get into my head. Another overall win will be hard with the profile of the Tour of Borneo which includes hard climbs and there are the likes of Ghader Mizbani and the Tabriz Petrochemical team, who will be strong there," he said.

Vital to his victory in the Jelajah Malaysia was the selfless commitment of each member of his OCBC Singapore team towards ensuring that Sea Keong kept the yellow jersey after snatching it at the second stage and the same can happen if another opportunity comes by in the tour.

Sea Keong will again have close friend and compatriot Ahmad Haidar Anuawar, experienced Thai rider Puchong Saiudomsin and reliable Singapore rider Goh Choon Huat, Ho Junrong and Low Ji Wen, in the team.

"We'll approach it (the race) stage by stage. If the opportunity comes by, I will be up there. For sure, I want another shot at an overall victory," said Sea Keong.

Meanwhile, Tour of Borneo organising chairman Datuk Fredie Sua expects good results from Sea Keong and his teammates.

"After witnessing his amazing performance in Jelajah Malaysia last June, I know they have something great in store for us, we'll just wait and see," he said.

The 2.2 Hors category Tour is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and listed in the UCI Asian Tour calendar and aimed at promoting Sabah as the ultimate sports tourism destination in Malaysia as well as cycling.