NILAI: Azizulhasni Awang is still pinching himself in disbelief after delivering a stunning keirin win for Malaysia at the Track World Cup in Nilai on Saturday (April 25).
The 38-year-old beat current world champion Harrie Lavreysen of Holland to win his second keirin gold in the series this season after winning the opening leg in Perth, Australia last month.
Lavreysen settled for second at the National Velodrome in Nilai while Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul was third.
"Unbelievable, it is just unbelievable. I was banging my head to make sure I'm not dreaming," said Azizul moments after his win.
"To be honest, it is not easy to race in front of your home crowd, there is a lot of pressure.
"But I was able to manage it. I used 20 years of experience at the highest level as best as possible.
"To win in front of my family - my wife, kids and mother - as well as all of the fans who came from all across Malaysia to watch me means everything to me."
Azizul will race in the individual sprint on Sunday (April 26). He won bronze in the event during the Perth leg.
"I am not sure how I will fare (in sprint). It will depend on whether I can sleep tonight.
"To be honest, I wasn't able to sleep well the night before the sprint in Perth.
"I have to undergo anti-doping testing and so on and will get back late, so we will have to see how it goes.”
