KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling head coach John Beasley will not risk fielding Shah Firdaus Sahrom in the keirin event at the Adelaide leg of the UCI Track Nation's Cup which starts Friday.
Shah suffered a heavy crash during training last week after his tyre burst during an intensive session. He sustained heavy bruising, abrasion wounds and a swollen ankle.
Beasley said he will most likely field Shah, who has yet to fully recover from his injuries, only in the men's individual sprint event Down Under alongside Fadhil Zonis.
Shah, who is no stranger to crashing in races, was given the nickname 'The Terminator' by teammate Azizulhasni Awang last year for his determination to keep on racing despite being injured.
"We are taking it one day at a time to see if he is well enough to start (individual sprint) here. Though he should be okay, he won't be anywhere near his best," said Beasley when contacted in Australia yesterday.
"I am not going to take the risk (fielding Shah in keirin) as he still has skin off (abrasion wounds) everywhere and there will likely be crashes because of riders making desperate moves to try and collect Olympic qualification points.
"I am not going to risk him crashing in the keirin with the New Delhi Asian Championship being so close (Feb 21-26).
"I need him to be in good condition in Delhi as I am not taking Datuk Azizulhasni due to the high risk of getting sick (Covid-19)."
Azizulhasni, who has been suffering from pericarditis for the past few weeks, will only compete in the keirin in Adelaide alongside Fadhil.
The setbacks suffered by Shah and Azizulhasni has forced Beasley to lower his expectations for the Adelaide leg of the nations cup.
"We were (on a high) until a week ago when Datuk Azizulhasni got sick and Shah crashed, so to be honest I really don't know what to expect here now," said Beasley.
"So this competition has gone from being a great chance to collect big points to now just trying to go and scrap some.
"The last week has not been kind to us but both riders will be okay in a few weeks. That is sports, though.
"We are down on our best, but we are not out."
Beasley disclosed that Anis Amira Rosidi, Izzah Izati Asri and Aliana Syafika Azizan will compete in the women's team sprint in Adelaide.
Anis and Izzah will also compete in the women's individual sprint and keirin.