PETALING JAYA: Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang continued to defy the odds when he won the men's keirin final race at the opening leg of the World Cup series in Perth, Australia, on Saturday (March 7).
The former keirin world champion timed his move to perfection to win the race from behind to pip the world No. 1 Matthew Richardson of Britain at the finish line.
Azizul scrambled down the finish line in a ferocious sprint to just pip Richardson, the sprint world record holder, who switched nationality from Australia, by 0.002 seconds.
Leigh Hoffman of Australia clinched the bronze in the main final at Speed Dome Velodrome.
Richardson was considered the favourite having entered the final on an unbeaten streak.
The British cyclist won his first round and semi-finals heats.
Azizul, on the other hand, had to do it the hard way after he finished third in the first round and only progressed to the semi-finals by winning his repechage heat.
In the first semi-finals heat, Azizul finished second behind German Maximilian Dornbach to reach the main final.
It was only in October last year that Azizul got back on the saddle after taking a year off following his Paris Olympic disappointment.
Azizul was later coaxed out of retirement by several parties to give it another shot and remain competitive for another year.
