NILAI – The national team sprint trio of Mohd Fadhil Mohd Zonis, Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom and Umar Hasbullah are determined to spring a surprise at the 2023 Asian Track Cycling Championship (ACC) despite being newly paired up for the men’s competition.
Muhammad Ridwan said he was optimistic that the trio would be able to win the gold medal in their mission of vengeance for failing to get first place in last year’s edition, even though Umar has just joined the elite team.
“We were in second place at last year’s ACC but this time is different, Fadhil, Umar and I will make sure this year’s finish will be better than before.
“We just want to focus on the right path and don’t want too much pressure… compatibility of the new pairing is no problem, I am in good condition,” he said at a training session on the first day of ACC 2023 at the National Velodrome here today.
Last year’s ACC in New Delhi, India saw the national sprint team of Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Mohd Fadhil and Muhammad Ridwan clinch the silver medal after being edged out by the Japanese team.
Meanwhile, Mohd Fadhil said national (individual sprint and keirin) champions Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus will skip the team sprint event to give the other national cyclists a chance to collect qualifying points for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Mohd Fadhil, who will lead the trio, said his team need to secure a podium position at the ACC to collect maximum points for qualification in the prestigious Paris Games.
“We really need a lot of gusto for the team sprint, but this event is really difficult to win because of elite racers from other countries who have participated in the (UCI Track) Nations Cup before, but I am confident that my team can put up a good fight,” he said.
A total of 17 countries including Malaysia have confirmed participation in the prestigious championship to be held at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan from June 14-19.
Meanwhile, Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) vice president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill hopes Mohd Azizulhasni and Shah Firdaus will capitalise on homeground advantage for a podium finish at ACC 2023.
“With the support of home fans, I am confident that Azizulhasni and Shah Firdaus will be able to realise the target set by head coach (John Beasley) at this championship.
“What’s more, Azizulhasni himself expressed his wish to create a legacy at this ACC. So this is his best opportunity to sculpt new history in addition to hunting for a place at the Paris Olympics,” he said. – Bernama
