KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has a long and storied history in track cycling. Over the decades, riders have brought honour to the country – from the Ng brothers, Joo Pong and Joo Ngan, to modern heroes such as Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom, as well as rising star Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri.
That legacy has laid the foundation for Sixdays Cycling to enter the country.
For Sportswork Group founder and chief executive officer Nur Jasni Mohamed, the arrival of Sixdays Cycling is about far more than adding another race to the calendar.
“This venture fills a gap in sports and entertainment. It can also help in nation-building,” Nur Jasni told Twentytwo13.
“For one reason or another, we have been losing top-tier events to other countries. We hope Sixdays Cycling will help reverse that trend.”
Malaysia has been identified as the inaugural regional hub following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Madison Sports, the global rights holder of Sixdays Cycling, and Kuala Lumpur-based Sportswork Group.
Nur Jasni said the Sixdays format offers a fresh experience inside the velodrome.
“Unlike traditional cycling events, where the centre of the velodrome is filled with equipment and team members, we can organise activities such as a black-tie dinner, have a DJ spinning music, a light show, or simply offer food and drinks,” he said.
“It is good for corporate events as well. Companies can host functions while the races continue on the track.”
He believes the innovative approach is key to broadening cycling’s appeal.
“This can help attract a new generation of fans who might otherwise not attend a cycling competition as there is nothing else to do but watch the races,” he added.
The initiative will also maximise the use of the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan – a world-class facility that has anchored Malaysia’s rise as one of Asia’s leading track cycling nations.
“By hosting this, we can better utilise the National Velodrome with more programmes at the venue,” he said.
“We are not competing with existing competitions but complementing them by adding to their schedules. We give riders more options to race.”
Nur Jasni added he is keen to work closely with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation on the new venture.
Sixdays Cycling, the longest-running track cycling concept in the world, blends elite professional racing with a festival-like atmosphere.
Through the collaboration, Malaysia is set to join an international circuit that includes Berlin, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi.
Malaysian fans recently had a taste of the spectacle when the Sixdays Weekend in Berlin was broadcast on Astro on Jan 30 and 31.
Valts Miltovics, Madison Sports managing director, said Malaysia has a rich track cycling culture and some of the most passionate fans in the world.
“This partnership allows us to build on that legacy and work with a strong local partner to create something sustainable, modern and globally relevant,” Miltovics said.
With Malaysia’s deep-rooted cycling heritage and growing appetite for premium sporting entertainment, Nur Jasni is confident Sixdays Cycling can establish a sustainable and culturally significant presence in the region.
Image: Sixdays Weekend
