NILAI: Azizulhasni Awang delivered a keirin masterclass performance to claim a stunning back-to-back Track World Cup title at the National Velodrome in Nilai tonight (April 25).
Azizul, at the age of 38, was the last rider out after the derny pulled off but produced an astonishing final sprint to beat reigning Olympic champion Harrie Lavreysen of Holland on the finish line.
Paul Nicholas of Trinidad and Tobago finished third for the bronze.
Azizul came into the final round of the World Cup in top form and on fresher legs having skipped the second leg in Hong Kong last week and also the recent Asian Championships in Philippines.
The former keirin world champion delivered what the sell-out crowd had anticipated by making it to the main final in style.
He won his semi-final heats ahead of Nicholas while Lavreysen, who had raced and won the keirin in Hong Kong, advanced after finishing second in his semi-final heats behind Japan’s Minato Takaishi.
Lavreysen and Azizul had given the crowd an early taste of what’s to come in the evening after finishing first and second from the second round heats.
It is the second keirin World Cup gold medal for Azizul having won the opening round in Perth, Australia last month.
Azizul will ride with Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom in the sprint tomorrow.
