KUALA LUMPUR: Former keirin world champion Azizulhasni Awang is currently in demand, having received an offer to ride for the Victoria state team in Australia.
The 36-year-old Pocket Rocketman might be tempted to accept the offer when he retires after the Paris Olympics this year.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to Australian Cycling @auscyclingaus for allowing me to compete in their national championships, and I am touched that my presence here is welcomed by everyone.
"I have also been invited by the Victoria state team to represent them when I retire from the Malaysian team after the Paris Olympics. Something to ponder," said Azizulhasni on Facebook.
On Saturday, Azizulhasni clinched a bronze medal in the men's keirin event at the Australian national cycling championships in Brisbane. He shared the podium with the current top two Australian sprinters — gold medallist Matthew Richardson and silver medallist Matthew Glaetzer.
"I am grateful for winning a keirin medal here. It was a fast race, and I clocked 9.57s in the last 200m.
"After withdrawing from the sprint event at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Adelaide last month, I was advised by a doctor to rest for three weeks due to effects from pericarditis (heart inflammation).
"I couldn't do much work, except for some light exercises during that period.
"However, considering that the Paris Olympics are only about five months away, I chose to participate in this race to assess my performance and use it as a platform for training and competition," he added.