PETALING JAYA: It was a frustrating end for Fatehah Mustapa in the women’s keirin in the second leg of the UCI Track World Cup in England.
The 28-year-old escaped serious injury after she collided with Australian Stephanie Morton and Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite while jostling for positions in the final in Manchester on Saturday.
Reigning Olympic champion Kristina Vogel of Germany went on to win the race ahead of Dutchwomen Shanne Braspennincx and Laurine Van Rieesen.
Fatehah, the CIMB Pro Cycling Team rider, was later adjudged to have caused the incident. She was disqualified and failed to collect any ranking points.
“It’s disappointing as I fought hard to go all the way to the top-six final. I was really confident of finishing on the podium.
“I did not cause the crash. I think coach John (Beasley) wants to file an appeal based on the video evidence. The two cyclists fell and I could not avoid them.
“I hope the commissaires will change my status from disqualified to relegated so that I can earn some ranking points,” said Fatehah, a four-gold medallist at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
Fatehah, however, was relieved to escape serious injury.
“Luckily, I only suffered minor injuries on my back shoulder and thighs. I will come back stronger and faster at the Asian Cycling Confederation Championships (in Nilai in February next year),” she said.
Still nursing a left ankle injury sustained in the first leg in Poland a week ago, compatriot Azizulhasni Awang could only finish 30th fastest in the men’s sprint qualifying in 10.243 seconds.
Teammate Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom was 31st in 10.320.
The third third leg is in Milton (Canada, Dec 2-3) followed by Santiago (Chile, Dec 9-10) and Minsk (Belarus, Jan 19-21).
