Still chasing the fast lane

PETALING JAYA: National track cyclist Mohd Fadhil Zonis (pic) may be approaching 29 later this year and is now a father of two, but he is not ready to ease off the pedals just yet.

The Selangor-born rider is relishing the intense battle for keirin spots in the elite national team.

Much is at stake, with only two spots available for the major competitions such as the Glasgow Commonwealth Games (July 23-Aug 2) and Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games (Sept 19-Oct 4).

Fadhil is determined to raise his game to make the cut.

“There is more depth in the men’s squad now than there have been in years,” said Fadhil.

“We still have Datuk Azizulhasni Awang with us. There is also the Sahrom brothers Shah Firdaus and Ridwan and Akmal Jusena fighting as well with me.

“The competition (for keirin spots) is tough now but I feel it is a form of healthy competition.

“It was only Shah Firdaus or Azizul in the past. If either one was not available, the second spot would automatically go to me but it is not like that any more.

“I got to keep pushing myself harder in training now. Seeing Ridwan doing well has also given me added motivation to do more,” said Fadhil.

Ridwan, 24, claimed the keirin gold at last month’s Thailand SEA Games.

Ridwan also combined with Fadhil and Akmal to win the team sprint there.

Fadhil is the national record holder in the men’s 1km time trial, clocking 1:00.305s at the 2020 World Championships in Berlin.

Fadhil was a gold medallist in the event at the Asian Championships in Nilai in 2023.

The national squad’s first major assignment will be the Asian Championships in Tagaytay, Philippines from March 25-31.