Dismal outing in Canada
National track cyclists end up empty handed but Nurul Izzah could still make Paris
THE national track cycling camp endured another poor show as they finished empty-handed yesterday at the 2024 UCI (International Cycling Union) Track Nations Cup campaign in Milton, Canada. In the men’s sprint event, Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom crashed out early in the qualifying round at the Mattamy National Track Cycling Centre.
The gold medal went to Dutch rider Harrie Lavresyen who edged out Surinamese rider Jair Tjon En Fa who had to settle for silver.
Meanwhile, national female cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri had to settle for eighth place in the keirin event.
Kedah-born Nurul Izzah had previously raced in the repechage round before finishing sixth in the second round thus qualifying for the final.
The gold medal went to New Zealand cyclist Ellesse Andrews.
In related news, three national track cyclists led by Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang have unofficially qualified for the Paris Olympic Games in the sprint and keirin events, according to Asean Cycling Federation (ACF) secretarygeneral Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill.
He said the other two cyclists are Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and possibly Nurul Izzah.
“This is based on the points collected. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will issue the latest rankings list today.
“On April 22, the International Olympic Committee will send an official list (of qualifiers) to all National Olympic Committees,” Amarjit, who is also a UCI committee member, told Bernama yesterday.
So far, six Malaysians – Bertrand Rhodict Lises (diving), Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (sailing), Johnathan Wong (shooting), Ariana Nur Dania Mohd Zairi (archery), Nur Aisyah Mohd Zubir (road cycling) and Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (weightlifting) – have confirmed their places in the Paris Olympics, which will be held from July 26 to Aug 11.
If Nurul Izzah, 20, confirms her slot in the Olympics, the Kedahan will be joining Bertrand Rhodict and Ariana Nur Dania, both 19; Mohamad Aniq, 22; and Nur Shazrin and Nur Aisyah, both 26 – in making their Olympics debut. – Bernama