The beauty of professional cycling is that it doesn’t work without a team.
Every time a pro rider pedals his way to the finish line, there is a team behind the scenes that keep the bike running smoothly, clocking up hundreds of kilometers. The team riders rely on to have their racing machines in order.
A team of dedicated mechanics who perform pro-level bike maintenance who is possible on minimal sleep, constant travel, and non-stop work, just to ensure the cycling team’s racing bikes are in fighting shape to allow the athletes to ride towards victories.
The Unsung Hero of a successful cycling team – Team Mechanic.
Rajen Murugayan has been in the bike-mechanic game for going on a decade, Malaysia’s only bike mechanic who is shining bright in UCI World Team. The former bike mechanic of Team Sky is also the brother of former Malaysian cyclist M. Kumaresan.
We speak to Rajen, the professional bike mechanic of Team EF Education – Nippo as he shares his advice for achieving your dreams.
More Malaysian mechanics are seen working with foreign cycling teams in Le Tour de Langkawi, what is your advice for them to further their career with UCI WorldTeams?
If you’re given the opportunity, take a chance, do not pick and complain. Hard work is the key. When you work hard, you come one step closer to your dreams. Most importantly, be smart and show your abilities.
What is the best advice you can give to the Malaysian riders, in terms of development, to be able to be in Pro Teams one day?
To be able to excel in any pro team, discipline is the most important element. Without discipline, success is impossible. You also have to make big sacrifices in order to be successful. Step out of your comfort zone! Last but not least, be hardworking. Hard work never fails.
Your role requires you to work closely with the WorldTeam riders, what is the most important quality to become a pro rider at the WorldTeam level?
What makes a pro rider? Positive energy, especially in any endurance sports. Different personalities mean different energies. Energy can be a very powerful thing in a team. In a long-distance, painstaking race, energy has the power to be the game-changer to get through hard times.
Secondly, intelligence. Be it the athlete’s IQ or EQ (emotional intelligence), both are equally important in pro cycling. In races, things always happen unexpectedly. Riders should always adapt to new situations and solve problems.
Lastly, natural talent. For instance, some riders are just natural-born climbers.
