Sheer happiness: Azizul all smiles after winning a bronze in Berlin. —AFP
PETALING JAYA: It was his first race on his new RM300,000 state-of-the-art bike.
And it served cyclist Azizulhasni Awang well as he underlined his Tokyo Olympic credentials with a bronze medal in the Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
The 32-year-old fought his way to the podium finish in the keirin final on Thursday night for his sixth world championships career medal and first since his historic win in Hong Kong in 2017.
He had won his first medal - a silver in sprint in Poland (2009), silver in Copenhagen (2010) and keirin bronze in Paris (2015) and London (2016).
Azizul had earlier stormed to the top-six final in style by winning his semi-final heat together with Stefan Botticher of Germany and Jack Carlin of Britain.
Japan’s Yuta Wakimoto, the reigning Asian champion, won the other semi-final with Kazakhstan’s Sergey Ponomaryov and Dutchman Harrie Lavreysen completing the field for the main final.
Rio Olympics bronze medallist Azizul gave his all to try to win the race as he led from the front but was boxed in as the riders started to charge once the derny (motorised bicycle) moved away.
Azizul is pictured going to bed with his medal and mascot.
Azizul managed to squeeze through to follow Wakimoto to the finish line as the towering Dutch cyclist Lavreysen timed his sprint to perfection to retain the title for Holland.
Matthijs Buchli won the race last year for Holland but finished 11th this time. Reigning Olympic triple champion Jason Kenny of Britain also failed to make it to the main final and placed eighth overall.
Terengganu-born Azizul was pleased with a podium finish in the final competition to offer ranking points for Tokyo Olympic qualification.
“I entered the final with the aim to win the rainbow jersey (given to the race winner to wear at the world championships) again but it did not happen.
“But I am still happy with this bronze achievement,” said Azizul, adding that it was his first race on the bike which he had been using since after the World Cup in Brisbane in December.
In Berlin, he was second fastest behind Japan’s Yudai Nitta in his quarter-finals and second behind Lavreysen in the first-round heat.
“In the final, I was drawn again to start on the first spot.
“Tactically, it does not favour my style of riding. The early plan was to get the best position but everyone was already pacing for this purpose. “With two laps to go, I tried to sprint but I was boxed in twice,” said Azizul, who is nevertheless optimistic about his chances at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I am on the right track heading to Tokyo based on my timing and pace.
“If I had won today, the pressure at the Olympics will surely increase so much.
“I saw many congratulatory messages from people who waited late to see the outcome and I appreciate their support.
“Hopefully, my small achievement on German soil will bring more cheers in the future,” said Azizul, who will return to the track along with Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Mohd Fadhil Zonis for the sprint qualifying round today.
