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Sports

Sunday March 15, 2009

Rizal is the better bet

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Azizul Hasni Awang is the world number one ranked keirin rider and winner of the Track World Cup overall title but coach John Beasley is putting his money on Rizal Tisin as the better bet to bag a historic medal for Malaysia in the World Championships in Pruszkow from March 25-29.

The Australian, who has been instrumental in helping Malaysian track cyclists to become world beaters, is confident Rizal will smash a three-month-old national record in the 1km time trial at the championships.

Rizal clocked 1:02.095 in the Victorian championships in Australia and it was the fastest time posted by an Asian rider. He went on to clock 1:02.268 to win the gold medal in the Beijing round of the World Cup in January.

At the world championships in Manchester last year, Rizal made heads turn when he posted 1:02.409 in taking fifth place. Beasley felt that his charge is in line to make a bigger impact this time in Poland.

Smooth rider: Rizal Tisin is in good condition to make a bigger impact at the World Championships in Pruszkow, Poland, from March 25-29.

“If I were to choose someone, I would pick Rizal as he has been clocking some pretty fast times in training,” said Beasley from their training base in Melbourne.

“I am confident he will knock down the 1:02 barrier, which will put him in medal contention. If the track is fast, he should do a very good time. Hopefully, it will be good enough for a medal. He also has a new bike and is coping well with it.”

While the 1km time trial is a straight forward run to beat the clock, Beasley added that the keirin was more of a lottery with everyone in the top six final capable of winning it.

“Azizul was supposed to use a new bike, which is more aerodynamic. But he could not adapt to it and he has reverted to the one he used at the Olympics last year,” he said.

“It will not be easy for Azizul but don’t discount his ability. If he makes it to the final, which no Malaysian has done before in the championship, he has a good chance to get a medal.”

The 21-year-old Azizul will also ride in the 200m sprint. But despite finishing as the best Asian in the Beijing Olympics as a quarter-finalist, losing to eventual champion Chris Hoy of Britain, Beasley added that the Malaysian’s small physique put him at a disadvantage.

“The 200m sprint is about strength and power. He needs a couple more years to challenge strongly at the top level,” he said.

“But overall, the cyclists are ready to fight for medals. They are in good condition and we will have eight days of good training time there. I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no injuries and they will bring up their form on the day.”

The track cycling trio of Azizul, Rizal and Josiah Ng wrapped up their training in Melbourne last Friday for an early departure to Pruszkow today.

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