MALAYSIAN National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Abu Samah Wahab believes it is time for track cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom to step out of the shadows of his illustrious compatriot Azizulhasni Awang.
Abu Samah is confident that Shah has what it takes to win a medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which officially opens tomorrow.
Azizulhasni, the nation's top rider, is recovering from heart surgery and has skipped the Games.
"This is the time for Shah to step out of the shadows of Azizulhasni," said Abu Samah today.
"Shah's timings are quite good and has equalled what Azizulhasni had achieved.
"Based on his current timings, I believe Shah can bring back at least one medal, which I predict will come via the keirin event.
"Shah just needs to focus on qualifying for the final first. Once he is there (final), it is anyone's race.
"The keirin is a unique event and surprises can happen, especially during a big competition."
Shah, 26, is in good form, having taken silver in the keirin at the Asian Championships in Delhi last month.
He did well to reach the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics last year despite suffering injuries in a crash in the first round.
It will be Shah's second appearance at the Commonwealth Games. Malaysia did not win any medals in track cycling at the 2018 Gold Coast edition.
The track cycling competition will begin at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London on Friday.
Malaysian riders will compete in the men's team sprint (Shah, Fadhil Zonis, Ridwan Sahrom) and women's team sprint (Anis Amira Rosidi, Izzah Izzati Asri, Nurul Aliana Syafika Azizan) on Friday.