Cycling: Virus causing races to go off track

THE much awaited triple treat in the national cycling week next month has been severely hampered by fears over the spread of the Infuenza A (H1N1) virus.

Of the three, only the Perlis Open on July 28-30 will remain as a race with a majority of international entries.

The Tour of Negri Sembilan, while still on the UCI Asia Tour calendar as a 2.2 grade event, will feature local teams, with a limited number of international entries.

The Malacca Chief Minister's Cup on July 20-21 has been taken off the UCI Asia Tour calendar and will take place as a national race.

Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said concerns over the spread of the virus had taken its toll on the events.
"The Perlis Open has already confirmed a number of foreign teams, and arrangements have already been made. So, there was no turning back for that race, thus it will go ahead with international entries," said Naim.

"Even so, we trust the control measures taken at our airports and health departments to curb the spread of the virus.

"Teams will come knowing that they have to adhere to strict checks at the airport and they will be subject to quarantine immediately if they show symptoms of the virus, at any time."

The H1N1 virus has already seen Malaysia's withdrawal from the Asian Youth Games in Singapore, which officially began yesterday.

A number of withdrawals from overseas competitions are expected to follow suit.

With measures to curb the spread of the virus increasing by the day, MNCF will also soon consider the country's representation in the Asian Championships in Samarinda, Indonesia on Aug 12-17.

NST

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