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Wednesday March 25, 2009

Chance for Azizul, Rizal to end drought at world meet

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia could be looking at a potential double-medal strike in the World Track Cycling Championships, which begin today in Pruszkow, Poland.

The trio of Azizul Hasni Awang, Josiah Ng and Rizal Tisin will kicked off Malaysia’s campaign in the team sprint tonight.

But it will be in the keirin and 1km time trial that Malaysia may have a rider on the podium for the first time in the championship series.

Way to glory: Malaysian coach John Beasley talking to Mohd Azizul Hasni Awang in this training picture. The coach feels the riders can get on the podium in the world championships starting today.

Azizul will be making his second appearance in the championships, this time as the top ranked rider in keirin after winning two legs of the World Cup.

The 21-year-old, who will be wearing the coveted white jersey as the overall World Cup winner, is looking to make amends after a tactical error cost him a place in the final of the Beijing Olympics last August.

But he is also mindful of the fact that the keirin is highly unpredictable with any of the top six finalists capable of ending up as the winner.

“The keirin will be held the day after the team sprint and that is my bigger focus,” said Azizul, who reached the second round in the keirin event in his world championship debut in Manchester last year.

“I hope to qualify for the final and hopefully end up as the first Malaysian to win a medal at the world championships.

“But I will not be too disappointed if I fail to bring home a medal as I will have many more opportunities. As in the Olympics, all the top riders will be in form and they all want medals too.”

Also in with a realistic chance to get a medal is Rizal Tisin, who will be competing in the 1km time trial on Friday.

Rizal holds the Asian record of 1:02.095, clocked in the Victorian championships in Australia in January, and it is the fifth fastest time set in the world this year.

However, Rizal will need to go faster to get among the medallists and coach John Beasley believes that it is within his ability.

“He is capable of going much faster and I think he is ready to hit 1:02. I hope his time will be good for a medal,” said Beasley in a telephone interview.

The Malaysian team have been training for the last five days at the brand new BGZ Velodrome, which is an indoor venue with the track made from Siberian pinewood.

“We have been training well here. It’s a nice track and it should be a fast one as well. I was worried that the boys may not adjust in time, coming from a warm to a cold climate. But the track is heated up and hopefully, it will suit them,” said Beasley.

“They have been on tenterhooks waiting to race since arriving more than a week ago. I was expecting the boys to fight for a medal only next year. But after winning at the World Cup, I think they are ready to give it a shot now.

“They will not want to miss the chance to bring good news to the people who will be watching them race back home.”

The championships will be telecast live on Eurosport (Astro Channel 814).

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