It’s triple the glitter
Cyclists rock Velodrome three times to kickstart gold rush
MALAYSIAN cyclists rocked the National Velodrome in
Nilai, Negri Sembilan, three times to kickstart the gold rush in track cycling.
After Irwandie Lakasek got gold No. 1 with a gutsy win in the men’s scratch race before the men’s team sprint trio of Mohd Shariz Afendi, Mohd Fadhil Mohd Zonis and Mohd Khairul Nizam Rasol posted an impressive 44.776 seconds to take gold No. 2.
Thailand’s Pongthep Tapimay, Satjakul Sianglam and Worayut Kapunya settled for silver in 45.735.
The Malaysian trio went into the final with the fastest qualifying time of 45.318 earlier.
It’s the closest any national team sprint combination has come to the national record of 44.725, which was set by Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng and Rizal Tisin at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“This gold is our first major success since we were paired off as a team from the junior ranks four years ago.
“It is a memorable SEA Games debut for us but we will not stop at this.
“We hope to break the national record at the Asian Cycling Championships at this same venue next year,” said Khairul.
Not to be outdone, Fatehah Mustapa then combined with Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan to deliver gold No. 3 in the women’s team sprint.
Twotime Olympian Fatehah and Farina went at a slower pace in the final, clocking 34.671 seconds, but it was still good enough for the gold ahead of Indonesians Crismonita Dwi PutriSantia Tri Kusuma (35.211).
FatehahFarina had earlier smashed their national record of 35.481 set in Melbourne last month after clocking 34.140 in their afternoon qualifying run.
“It’s always good to win your first event of the competition. I’m more settled after this and I hope to keep the momentum going for the sprint tomorrow,” said the Melbournebased Fatehah.
There was no joy for Jupha Somnet as she fizzled out in the points race – the final event of the women’s omnium – to settle for the bronze.