Amarjit Expects Riders To Shine In Track Cycling World Meet Sans Azizulhasni 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) are confident that the national team will not return home empty-handed from the five-day 2024 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Denmark, which began today, despite the absence of the Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang.

MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh believes that Mohd Azizulhasni's replacement, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom will do Malaysia proud in the keirin and sprint events at the championships.

"During the Paris Olympics, we saw how Shah Firdaus nearly produced a shock before his unfortunate accident some 50 metres (m) before the finish line.

"He is in good form and ready for the championships. I believe that if can reproduce that form, he can produce another stunning result,” Amarjit said when contacted by Bernama today.

Azizulhasni was previously quoted as saying that he had withdrawn from the UCI Track Cycling World Championships as he wanted to focus on completing his studies at Victoria University in Melbourne.

Others who will be competing in the 121st edition of the world track meet at the Ballerup Super Arena in Ballerup are Shah Firdaus' brother, Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom as well as women riders Izzah Izzati Asri and Anis Amira Rosidi.

Amarjit also hopes that Izzah Izzati, holder of the national women's sprint record, can improve on her mark at the world meet.

The Kedah-born Izzah Izzati set a new national record of 10.709 seconds (s) in the qualifying rounds of the Paris Olympics in Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Paris.

Meanwhile, national track cycling team technical director John Beasley believes that Shah Firdaus is Malaysia's best bet for a medal when he competes in the keirin event tomorrow.

“The riders are all healthy and ready to start the competition,” he said when contacted today.

-- BERNAMA