KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang received a huge boost by winning the sprint event at the Austral Wheel Race in Melbourne today.
The 34-year-old edged Sam Gallagher of the Blackburn Cycling Club in the final of the first Class 1 sprint event. The Pocket Rocketman overcame New Zealand's Sam Dakin in his semi-final.
The Dungun-born clocked an impressive time of 9.766s in the qualifying round.
National coach John Beasley admitted he did not expect Azizulhasni to hit the strides so fast.
"After his sprint win, I am not expecting him to do anything in the keirin as he is tired. However, we should never write him off," said Beasley.
Former world keirin champion Azizulhasni underwent heart surgery in April. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist only returned to competition in the UCI Track Champions League last month.
He made the sprint semi-finals in Paris (third round) and reached the keirin final in London last week.
On Wednesday, Azizul clinched the keirin silver medal at the President's Cup at the National Velodrome in Nilai.
"Azizulhasni is progressing, and I think he will soon be ready to take the next step.
"We do not plan to do speed work for the next few months," said Beasley.
Azizulhasni is ranked No. 281 in keirin and No. 56 in sprint.
The Malaysian will be back on track tomorrow for the keirin event.
KW: cycling, Austral Wheel Race, Azizulhasni Awang, sprint, keirin