Cycling

Cyclist Shah tops Track Nations Cup standings after Cairo high

KUALA LUMPUR: Cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom can stand tall in the keirin as he now leads the UCI Track Nations Cup standings after two legs of the event.

The 27-year-old, who clinched the keirin silver at the Cairo International Velodrome on Thursday, have accumulated 1,240 points.

Japan's Shinji Nakano is second with 1,200 points, followed by world champion Harrie Lavreysen of the Netherlands (1,080 points).

Former world No.1 Azizulhasni Awang, who withdrew from the Cairo event with an adductor injury, is ranked eighth with 720 points, while Ridwan Sahrom is 33rd on 161. Compatriot Fadhil Zonis is 36th with 160 points.

It was pleasant news for the Muar-born, who missed out on a podium finish following a crash in the keirin final in the opening leg in Jakarta last month.

It was Shah's first medal in the Nations Cup since his bronze effort in Los Angeles in 2017 when the event was known as the Track World Cup.

"With God's grace I won a silver medal in the keirin. It is a sweet moment and a meaningful win," posted Shah on his Facebook page.

"I had missed out on many possible medals in the past due to misfortunes and obstacles on the world stage.

"Hopefully, this success will become a motivation and morale booster for the upcoming events."

The track cycling team will next shift their focus on the third leg of the Nations Cup in Milton, Canada, from April 20-24.

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