KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s track cycling future will be put to the test at the Thailand Sea Games in December as the next generation of riders step up to carry the nation’s gold-medal hopes.
With established stars Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Azizulhasni Awang both ruled out, the spotlight now falls on Ridwan Sahrom, Fadhil Zonis and Akmal Jusena to keep Malaysia’s proud tradition alive in the men’s keirin and team sprint.
Shah, a gold medal favourite, has been sidelined by a knee injury, while Azizul — the former world keirin champion — is still working his way back after a long layoff following the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Azizul, who only resumed serious training two months ago, managed bronze in the sprint and fifth in the keirin at last month’s Track Asia Cup in Thailand, last month.
National track cycling technical director John Beasley confirmed that Olympic silver medallist Azizul will not be part of the team for the biennial Games.
“This one was tough and he did have periods where he struggled, though it looks like the team have got him through that stage now and we are all happy he is finally on the way back after six months of virtually no training, little exercise,” said Beasley.
“Now it’s to load responsibly and slow and steady, one pedal stroke at a time.
“Azizul is not on the long list, so it’s up to Fadhil, Ridwan and Akmal to step up. They are physically ready, no excuses — it’s time to stand up and deliver.”
The trio of Ridwan, Fadhil and Akmal have shown they can rise to the occasion. They powered Malaysia to gold in the men’s team sprint at the Track Asia Cup, stamping their credentials as favourites for the Sea Games.
Ridwan, 24, also crossed the line second in the keirin in the Asia Cup before being relegated for riding in the blue band, a result that underscored both his speed and inexperience.
Track cycling last featured at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, where Malaysia emerged overall champions with 13 gold medals.
The discipline is often excluded due to the lack of velodromes in the region, but Thailand has opted to include it this year, limiting the sprint programme to just the men’s keirin and team sprint.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
