KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian track cyclists had a glimpse of the emergence of new rivals — China — at the World Track Cycling Championships ahead of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
The Malaysian riders Mohd Ridwan Sahrom, Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Mohd Fadhil Zonis finished 11th in the men's team sprint in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines near Paris.
The trio clocked 44.417s in the three-lap qualifying session, which was just outside the national record of 43.934s set by Azizulhasni Awang, Shah Firdaus and Fadhil when they took silver at the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games.
Asian powerhouse Japan's Nagasako Yoshitaku, Ota Kaiya and Yuta Obara were disqualified for botching their first rider changeover as China trio of Guo Shuai, Zhou Yu and Liu Qi who stole the thunder clocking 43.398s to rank seventh fastest and the best Asian team.
Australia's Leigh Hoffman, Matthew Richardson and Matthew Glaetzer claimed the men's team sprint title with 41.600s as reigning Olympic champions Holland, comprising Harrie Lavreysen, and Roy van den Berg, bagged the silver with 41.643s.
National track coach John Beasley said the outing in Paris gives them a good chance to eye their opponents in the Hangzhou Asiad.
"Make no mistake, Japan will still be our main rival but we also have to look out for China as they are the hosts," said the Australian coach.
"We've seen what these countries are capable of and we'll be ready. Except for Shah and Fadhil who have experience at this level, it is a learning experience for the others."
Meanwhile, the national women's team of Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, Nurul Aliana Syafika and Anis Amira Rosidi ranked 10th fastest in qualifying with 51.064s.
Germany's Pauline Grabosch, Emma Hinze, and Lea Friedrich clinched the gold with 46.573s. Holland's Kyra Lamberink, Shanne Braspennincx,
Steffie van der Peet clocked 46.643s for the silver and Lauren Bell, Sophie Capewell, and Emma Finucane of Great Britain picked up the bronze medal with 46.986s.
China's Guo Yufang, Bao Shanju, and Yuan Liying were the best Asian team with a fourth-place finish with 47.175s and Japan Fuko Umekawa, Riyu Ohta, and Mina Sato were seventh with 48.709s.