THE women’s track cyclists came up short in the sprint qualifying rounds at the Lee Valley Velodrome.
Anis Amira Rosidi (pic), who previously trained in Melbourne together with Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Azizulhasni Awang, was the best Malaysian performer when she finished 18th out of 27 cyclists after clocking 11.302.
The Perlis-born cyclist was 0.2 seconds slower from finishing inside the top 16, which would have earned her a place in the elimination rounds.
Two other Games debutants, Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri finished 22nd with 11.681 while Nurul Aliana Syafika Azizan clocked 11.990 to finish 24th.
Canada’s Olympic sprint champion Kelsey Mitchell topped the qualifying with 10.612.
Sophie Capewell of England was second with 10.625 and Canadian Lauriane Genest was third fastest (10.674).
On Friday, the Malaysian trio suffered heartbreak in the team sprint after they were relegated following a technical mistake at the finish line during the rider change.
“What happened was the second rider made her move before the first crossed the finish line,” said coach John Beasley.
“Mistakes can happen with inexperienced young riders at high level competition.
“They are under higher pressure at this level. I believe they will learn from this and improve for the future.”
Nurul will be competing in the 500m time trial today but she will find it hard to snatch a medal despite starting as the reigning Asian champion.
