Azizulhasni's quest for gold in Paris ends in heartbreak

The much anticipated men’s keirin race at the 2024 Paris Olympics ended in heartache and disbelief for national track cycling ace Mohd Azizulhasni Awang.

The country’s gold medal hopeful had to pay a hefty price after being disqualified from the race for overtaking the derny (motorcycle pacer), before the derny left the track during the first round Heat 1.

It is the end of Azizulhasni’s hope for his maiden Olympic gold at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, his fifth Olympic Games since Beijing 2008.

National track cycling coach John Beasley said the rule is clear and there is no room to appeal the case.

“So we tried on every basis like the French rider (Rayan Helal) stepping up and doing… but you know, like give this a try? The motorbike wasn’t going as fast as it should, it was still at 45km/h, instead of 50km/h, but still the rule states, you can’t pass the bike.

“Well, we made a mistake, it’s our fault, we can’t take it back and we pay a big price for that. He’s still in shock at the moment, he hasn’t said anything, he is just in disbelief.

“But it has happened, and we just got to move forward and the hardest thing is talk to you guys (media),” he said.

Beasley was also disappointed that such an incident happened during Azizulhasni’s last Olympic outing.

Appeal denied

Malaysia’s chef de mission Hamidin Mohd Amin in a statement said the national contingent’s appeal on Azizulhasni’s disqualification had been denied.

“The chief commissioner and the representative of UCI (International Cycling Union) maintained the decision to disqualify Azizulhasni due to overtaking the derny that sets the pace in front of the group of riders before the motorcycle exits the race track.

“The Malaysian contingent reluctantly accepts this decision and will give unwavering moral support to him. At the same time, the National Sports Institute (ISN) will also provide support Azizulhasni in facing this difficult situation,” he said.

Azizulhasni, known as the “Pocket Rocketman”, is Malaysia’s most illustrious cyclist, having won the 2017 keirin world championship, as well as two Olympic medals in keirin - bronze in Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo 2020.

Last hope for medal

Track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom has become the country’s last hope for adding to its medal tally at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 28-year-old from Muar, who will compete in the men’s keirin quarter-finals at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, is the sole Malaysian representative on the final day of the games today.

- Bernama

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