Trailblazing cyclist Nur Aisyah wants to make her mark in Olympic debut

KUALA LUMPUR – An hour before the start of any race, Malaysia’s road racing cyclist, Nur Aisyah Zubir, takes a few quiet moments to calm her nerves.

“I take time alone to relax and find peace. I recite a prayer and then listen to a song to warm up... My favourite song is Training Season by Dua Lipa,” she told The Straits Times.

Reciting prayers in Arabic, she prays for strength to persevere. And she soaks in the lyrics of the song to focus on the race.

In Paris, Nur Aisyah will be the first Malaysian woman to compete in road race cycling at the Games and she is gearing up not just for her debut, but also to inspire a new generation of women to pursue their Olympic dreams.

The 26-year-old, who hails from the east coast state of Terengganu, hopes that more women will take up professional road racing, despite the sport’s demanding nature and challenging terrains.

“After me, I hope many other women get the chance to pursue their Olympic dreams. Road racing is tough as it demands high levels of physical endurance and mental toughness. The message I want to give to women is to keep believing, keep trying and never give up,” said Nur Aisyah.

To prepare for her race in Paris, Nur Aisyah has been based in Belgium since May to participate in at least 15 European-level competitions.

National women’s road cycling coach Amir Mustafa Rusli, who has been training Nur Aisyah for six years, said taking part in these competitions is crucial to exposing her to the challenges that could arise at the Olympics.

He said: “The European competitions... will provide a robust training ground, exposing Aisyah to various terrains, including cobbled roads – conditions she hasn’t experienced in Malaysia.”

The women’s road race for the 2024 Olympics will span 158km. Cyclists will set off near Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero and proceed to the challenging terrains of the Chevreuse Valley, located about 30km away from the city.

Returning to Paris, riders will tackle three laps of the historic Cote de la Butte Montmartre district, a challenging cobbled climb, before a downhill finale onto the iconic Pont d’Iena bridge over the River Seine and a sprint towards the finish line at the Trocadero.

Nur Aisyah has a strong track record in the SEA Games, having won two bronze medals in Cambodia in 2023 and securing two silvers and a bronze at the Vietnam Games in 2022.

At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, she finished the mass start event in 11th spot and also placed among the top 10 riders in the Tour of Biwase Vietnam 2023 and Tour of Thailand in 2023.

Her dream of participating in the Olympics became a reality after Malaysia was awarded a slot when it ranked second among Asian countries that had yet to qualify for Paris during the Asian Road Cycling Championships in Thailand in 2023.

Nur Aisyah was chosen for the coveted spot as a result of her consistent performances and achievements in international competitions, said the Malaysian National Cycling Federation.

Despite some challenges such as unfamiliar cycling terrain, Nur Aisyah has been training rigorously, six days a week, and engaging in a mix of endurance and strength exercises to prepare for the Olympics, said Amir.

Amir said Nur Aisyah is a “focused and tough rider”, and he was eager to see how she would perform during the Olympics to determine her next steps.

Nur Aisyah said: “I am both excited and nervous, as the competition will feature other world-class cyclists. I’m determined to give my best without becoming overconfident. My goal is simply to finish the race.”

She attributes her success to regular prayers as well as the consistent effort of her coach, who she believes helped make her Olympic dream come true.

Amir has been one of her greatest cheerleaders, and she is determined not to disappoint him.

“He maintains a positive mindset and has been a motivating force throughout my training. Honestly, I would feel guilty if I disappointed him at the Olympics. I’m committed to giving it my best,” she added.

She also seeks guidance from a friend and mentor, two-time Olympian Fatehah Mustapa, who retired from track cycling in 2020.

“I look up to her. She has constantly motivated me and shared her first-hand experiences with me. That has greatly helped me as a professional athlete ahead of the Olympics,” said Nur Aisyah.