TRACK endurance cyclist Lau New Joe had to deal with rotten luck once again.
Disaster struck for New Joe as the 21-year-old revealed that he had met with an accident during the track testing session two days ago before his Asian Games event started.
New Joe received six stitches on his face as a result and despite the pain due to the fresh scar, he still managed to finish a decent seventh place in the men's omnium final at Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka on Friday (Oct 2).
New Joe scored 24 points in the scratch race, 28 points in the tempo race, 30 points in the elimination race and 28 points in the points race for a combined 110 points.
It was only on Aug 1 when New Joe had suffered a heavy crash at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and broke five teeth, as well as abrasion and laceration wounds across his body.
"I got knocked down and I got injured on the side of my face this time. I think I'm really used to bad crashes," said New Joe.
"I honestly don't know what happened ... I'm unlucky.
"If I missed this race today, I know I would definitely regret it as I would have to wait for another four years.
"I'm just happy to be able to race although I'm not happy with the result," he said.
Track cycling director John Beasley hailed the strong tenacity showed by New Joe.
"Two days before his event, a rider slid down the track and took him out and the visor cut open his face.
"It was his request not to make it known outside until his competition was over as he wanted to keep his focus.
"He is a very tough and brave boy because all he was worried about was starting the race.
"He is an extremely committed athlete. If this was a football player, they would be out for a season but for cyclists, it's all part of the sport and something everyone just gets on and deals with it," said Beasley.
