KUALA LUMPUR: Azizulhasni Awang is pleased with his overall performance in the UCI Track Champions League (TCL) this season, his first competition since undergoing open heart surgery in April.
Azizulhasni ended his maiden outing in the TCL in eighth place overall from 18 riders with 60 points after five rounds.
He did well to reach the individual sprint semi-finals in Paris (third round) and capped his season on a positive note by reaching the keirin final at the final round in London on Saturday.
The TCL features only the top track riders in the world. To qualify, a sprint discipline rider must finish in the top-six at the previous year's world championships.
Azizulhasni, 34, said: "I was happy with the (fifth round) keirin because I raced well in the heats, didn't waste energy, positioned myself well and was able to stay safe.
"The final was interesting, I was drawn as the fifth rider and when the race started I tried to follow Matthew Richardson (overall champion).
"But they (frontrunners) are at a different level than me in terms of speed and power at the moment and I was stuck at the back.
"I have achieved my target of making a final and getting a placing in the top-10 in the overall standings this season."
Azizulhasni had undergone surgery to correct a coronary artery anomaly in Australia in late April.
KW: Azizulhasni Awang, cycling, Track Champions League