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Saturday April 11, 2009

Azri’s switch to track cycling brings golden returns

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Azri Ahmad’s decision to switch to track cycling this year paid off when he bagged a gold and a silver in the boys’ Under-15 category in the first-leg of the Junior National Track Circuit at the KL Velodrome in Cheras yesterday.

The Terengganu lad won the gold in the 5km scratch race in 7:23.02 to upstage national back-up rider Mohd Firdaus Suardi of Perak.

Azri’s silver came in the 2km individual pursuit when he lost to Firdaus in the final. Firdaus clocked 2:40.398 and Azri 2:58.642.

Azri, a Form Two student of SMK Binjai in Kemaman, said he never expected to beat the 25 cyclists to win the scratch event.

“This is only my third track meet since switching from road race to track in January. In the first two meets — in the SportExcel in Ipoh the last two months — I did not even manage to get a podium finish.

“I am really delighted to have won the gold in the scratch race. This is a good start for me in track cycling,” said Azri, who only took up the sports because his dad (Ahmad Musa) is a coach of Kemaman district.

Azri said he took up cycling only three years ago and failed to do well in road races.

“So my father told me to try the track events and I am glad I listened to his advice,” said Azri, who will also compete in the 200m and 500m sprints events.

Firdaus, meanwhile, is unhappy with his performance despite winning the 2km individual pursuit gold.

“The time I clocked (2:40.398) is five seconds slower than my personal best, which I did in the second SportsExcel meet in Ipoh last month. I am also disappointed to have lost to a newcomer (Azri) in the scratch race,” said Firdaus.

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