KUALA LUMPUR: With no teammates to support her, national cyclist Nur Aisyah Zubir will have to fend for herself when she competes in the women's road race at the Paris Olympics on Aug 4.
Aisyah will be Malaysia's sole representative in the women's road race in Paris.
Countries are allowed to field up to four riders in the race if they have achieved the qualification criteria.
The top nations are expected to field three to four riders each in the event.
Aisyah, who will be the first Malaysian woman to race in the road event at the Olympics, said she will have to race smart.
"I am not really sure what to expect on race day as I have never raced with the best riders in the world before," said Aisyah yesterday.
"I will be alone while they will have teammates, so I have to race smart and be independent.
"There will be countries that will be able to fill up the quota so they can work as a team.
"I will try my best to read the situation on race day. If I am feeling good, I will try and make it into any of the breakaway groups."
Aisyah and national women's coach Amir Mustafa Rusli will be leaving for Belgium later today.
Aisyah will compete in weekly races there to help her acclimatise to racing in Europe.
"The plan in Belgium is to train and also compete in at least two races a week, possibly one criterium and a one-day race," said Aisyah.
"I have never raced in Europe before, so this will be a new experience for me.
"Coach Amir often shares his experience with me and advises me on what I need to focus on."
Amir and Adiq Husainie Othman raced for Malaysia in the men's road race at the 2012 London Olympics.
The women's road race in Paris will be 158km long with 1,700m of climbing combined.