Izzah banking on experience to keep noise out at famous velodrome

Unfazed: Track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri will begin her campaign in the individual sprint tomorrow. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Racing in front of a packed and passionate crowd can be daunting, but track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri believes her experience on the biggest stages will keep her composed.

The 22-year-old has already coped with the electrifying atmosphere at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics, and expects more of the same when she competes at the iconic Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.

Izzah will begin her campaign in the individual sprint tomorrow before contesting the 1km time trial on Saturday.

She is determined not to let the deafening home support or her rivals distract her from delivering her best performance.

“Azizulhasni Awang told me the atmosphere at this velodrome is really something else because it’s named after Scotland’s greatest cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy,” said Izzah.

“It can be a hair raising experience but I have more experience on handling these situations now.”

Izzah and fellow Malaysian Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid will also both race the keirin on Sunday.

For Izzah, the chance to stamp her mark in the world class field lies not just in the keirin but also perhaps in the 1km time trial.

Double Olympic champion Ellesse Andrews of New Zealand and three-time world champion Emma Finucane of Wales headlines a very strong field for women’s track sprint disciplines.

“I know there are some very strong contenders but I don’t want to worry about them. I plan to focus only on improving myself and try to beat my personal best time.

“Whether that’s good to be on the podium, I’m not sure,” said Izzah, who holds the national record of 1:06.229s which she had set when she won gold in the event at the Asian Championships in Nilai last year.

Izzah must dip below the 1:06 benchmark to possibly stand a chance to be on the podium with the likes of Sophie Capewell of England holding the fastest time among the Commonwealth countries.

Capewell placed fourth at the European Championships in Turkiye in February this year with a time of 1:04.806s.

“We have prepared well in terms of speed and power. Overall, I’m okay and mentally ready for the Commonwealth Games,” added Izzah.

It is in the men’s keirin event tomorrow where Malaysia have the best chance to finish on the podium with Azizul and Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom making twin challenges.

It is the final Commonwealth Games appearance for Azizul while Shah Firdaus is determined to seize the opportunity to show he is back at his level best again after a long lay-off from competition.