PETALING JAYA: A heartbroken track cyclist Azizulhasni believes he did what was best in his bid to become the country's first Olympic Games gold medal winner.
On Saturday, Azizul was disqualified for overtaking the derny before it left the track during his first round heat of the men's keirin competition at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome.
His disqualification meant he was not even allowed to compete in the repechage held later.
Azizul posted on his social media his explanation after the painful end to his last Olympics and said he navigated to the front because of the tough draw.
"When the draw was made, I got the last position, which was sixth. I remained calm as there was a plan for racing from that position," said Azizul.
After discussing with coach John Beasley, the best plan was to go forward and try to get to the front position as early as possible.
"This is because there were a few front runners capable of sprinting ahead. If the riders in front speed up early, it would have put me in a difficult situation to move forward at high speed with several long sprinters ahead of me.
"There was a possibility of being blocked by some of the riders in front if I used a waiting tactic.
"I had to choose the best tactic to increase the possibility of winning and moving early was something I've done before during the early rounds at the Tokyo Olympics.
"With one lap left before the pacer exited, I had already started moving forward slowly from the back. This was similar to what I did during the Asian Championships race in Kuala Lumpur. The plan was to move forward and be on the outside of the first or second rider, and once the pacer exited, I would immediately sprint to secure the front position (first).
"However, when I passed the third corner and before entering the fourth corner, I was blocked by a rider from France. The block was too aggressive, and in my opinion, it was intentionally aggressive as he hit me (you can refer to the picture), and I nearly fell. I avoided the fall thanks to my quick reaction and good handling skills.
"Not only that but he was still closely following beside me and continued to try to block me a second time, and in such a situation, my reaction was to move forward to avoid him.
"As an elite keirin rider, we know the speed for the pacer before exiting. Usually, on the last lap, the pacer will accelerate out after passing the fourth corner at a speed of 50-55km/h.
"However, in my race, the pacer moved slower than the actual speed and did not accelerate out after the fourth corner.
"I, who was struggling with the French rider, noticed that the pacer had not accelerated out.
"I was shocked and tried to backpedal as a way to brake, but unfortunately, I couldn’t slow down as desired.
"According to race rules, a rider’s rear tire cannot pass the pacer before it exits at the pursuit line, which is the thin line in the middle of the front stretch (not the starting line).
"Did my rear tire pass the pacer before it exited? My answer is yes, but it was unintentional and due to two situations: first, the continuous blocking and pressure from the French rider, and second, because the pacer was moving at only 40-45km/h and not at the expected speed, and did not accelerate out as usual," he explained.
The Malaysian team immediately met with the panel of commissaires to explain the situation and to request a review of the decision. However, the decision didn't change.
"Track cycling is indeed a sport where the decisions of the commissaire panel are final. Although there was a time when coaches and teams could present arguments and videos for review, everything have since been completely changed."
He now hoped everyone will support Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and pray he can continue the fight for Malaysia to go as far as possible in the keirin competition later today.
Shah Firdaus has made it to the quarter-finals after winning his keirin repechage.
"Moving forward, I hope everyone can give their support and prayers to my teammate Shah Firdaus, who now bears the responsibility and hope to bring home the gold medal for the Malaysian contingent.
"I believe Shah Firdaus is capable of doing it."
