Top rider Azizul returns to training mode as he eyes racing comeback

The Star

4 days ago

PETALING JAYA: The fire still burns as Malaysia's top cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has returned to where he belongs. After almost a year away from the track, the two-time Olympic medallist has made a stirring return to training at the National Velodrome in Nilai this week, slipping on his racing gloves once more with quiet determination.
He has been working out with the rest of the cyclists under the national set-up, trying to shake off the rustiness after a long lull.
And if his determination is anything to go by, it won't be too long before Azizul gets back into racing mode.
Technical director John Beasley stressed that Azizul should be allowed to ease back into the environment in his own pace.
After leaving fans in the dark since his heartbreaking exit from the Paris Olympics last year, Azizul cleared the air in May regarding his future by announcing that he will continue racing.
Azizul, who had previously hinted at retiring, will continue on as a professional rider while receiving backing from government in the form of a RM200,000 grant from the Youth and Sports Ministry through the National Sports Council.
The grant is to help him with training and competition expenses for the 2025-2026 period.
"We can see from his eyes how he misses the time training with his teammates," said Beasley.
"Azizul will likely spend half his time training in Melbourne (where he studies) and the other half here in Kuala Lumpur.
"When he is there, he will be following the fitness programme under Martyn Girvan, who is one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in Australia.
"We have put him through physical tests at National Sports Institute before we allowed him to do the training sets on the track. "He is healthy and fit, though not fit enough for track races as of yet, and there is no race to get him ready this year," said Beasley. They will assess Azizul's readiness and make a decision a month before the World Championships in Santiago, Chile from Oct 22-26.
Malaysia are in the running to secure a quota slot for the men's elite team sprint event at the world meet but it depends to be seen if Azizul will be ready to make the team.
Beasley has already indicated that in the event Azizul is to be considered, it will only be for the team sprint and not the individual events (keirin and sprint).
"I want him to have a slow build up to be at his best next year. If things come together and I think he will be competitive by the time the World Championships in Chile in October.
"His main focus has always been to get ready for the Asian Games in Japan next year where he is supposed to go as a contender."