NILAI – National track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang continued to produce a positive performance when competing in the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) President’s Cup I, here today.
The 34-year-old rider, who is competing on home soil for the first time since undergoing heart surgery in April, produced an energetic performance in the race but had to be contended with a runner-up spot after finishing behind New Zealand’s Samuel Daikin at the National Velodrome, here.
Popularly known as “The Pocket Rocketman’ for his burst of speed at the finishing line, Azizulhasni claimed that he was happy with his performance since he was still recovering from fatigue after returning from the UCI Track Cycling Champions League (TCL) recently.
“My performance has not yet reached the top level but it was a good race provided I am not 100% fit after undergoing heart surgery seven months ago.
“Moreover, I still feel lethargic due to the competition and long travel involved since last week,” he told reporters.
The Dungun-born rider said though he has yet to reach his optimum level in competitions, he was certainly regaining his momentum and that would serve as an inspiration to try and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Azizulhasni said he would not want to rush into pushing himself to the limit because the pain from the surgery had not gone away completely.
He would, therefore, improve his performance in stages and hopes to reach peak form by the end of 2023.
“My next race is the Class 1 UCI competition in Melbourne, Australia on December 17, then in early January I will compete in New Zealand.
“It will be a busy year because we will be chasing points to qualify for the Olympics, but it’s gonna be my last and after that I will hang my bicycle. So I will do my best and give more than 100%,” he said.
In the last Saturday’s TCL, Azizulhasni who competed against 18 riders in the sprint event finished in eighth place but in his pet event, keirin, he finished in fifth spot at the Lee Valley VeloPark, London.
Meanwhile, in today’s keirin race Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom finished in third spot and finished fourth in the sprint.
The MNCF President’s Cup race is the first one organised by the MNCF as an effort to help local riders earn qualifying points for the Olympics 2024.
Apart from Malaysia and New Zealand, riders from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Iran took part in the competition.
Azizulhasni and Shah will also compete in the MNCF President’s Cup II, here tomorrow. – Bernama, December 7, 2022
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