PETALING JAYA, March 3 — Malaysia’s Azizulhasni Awang will be anxious for redemption in the sprint after failing to defend his men’s keirin title at the UCI World Track cycling Championships in Holland yesterday.
The 30-year-old, far from giving excuses, was weakened by a viral infection, and lost to winner Fabian Hernando Puertas Zapata of Colombia.
“To finish third in the first round and failing to make a comeback in the repecharge was not in our plan. I have fought till the end and given more than what I could.
“Not to give any excuses but the extreme weather and the viral infection I got since arriving here had affected my performance,” said the ‘Pocket Rocketman’ in Apeldoorn.
Famed moniker aside, Azizulhasni said the illness affected him overall. “My riding was far behind my performance at the recent Asia Cycling Championship in Nilai, Malaysia.
“I was also involved in a crash during warmup where my tyre slipped on a banking,” he added.
A pensive Azizulhasni quoted an old saying, “A difficult road often leads to a beautiful destination”.
“Saturday shall be my last event, sprint and I will definitely put up my very best again. I hope all will pray for my success,” he pleaded.
Earlier, Azizulhasni placed third in the sixth heat of the first round won by Colombian Fabian Hernando.
He needed to win the repechage to make the second round.
However, Azizulhasni finished second behind Andrii Vynokurov of Ukraine.
Compatriot Shah Firdaus Sahrom also did not manage to go beyond the repechage.
