SEPANG – National track cycling icon Datuk Azizulhasni Awang has thrown his full support behind coach John Beasley’s bold campaign to reform the top leadership of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), aiming to champion riders’ rights on the global stage.
In an exclusive interview with Scoop, Azizulhasni candidly revealed that frustrations have been simmering for years, with persistent issues of unfair judging and blatant weaknesses among commissaries plaguing the sport.
The tipping point, he shared, came when Malaysia’s national track cycling team fell victim to these injustices at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
Although Azizulhasni acknowledges that the damage is done and that Malaysia is unlikely to reclaim the medals lost in Paris, he remains hopeful that their protest – bolstered by other nations equally outraged by UCI’s failings – will spark real change within the organisation.
Previously Scoop reported Beasley’s public denunciation of UCI president David Lappartient, whom he accused of being “out of touch with the realities of cycling” – which already sent shockwaves through the sport.
But the fallout from Paris has only intensified the call for reform.
Malaysia’s medal hopes were crushed when Azizulhasni and his teammate Shah Firdaus Sahrom fell short in the sprint and keirin events.
Azizulhasni was disqualified in the keirin first round for allegedly overtaking the derny too early. Meanwhile Shah, despite a valiant effort to reach the final, narrowly missed out on a bronze medal after a collision with Japanese rider Shinji Nakano.
“Many in Malaysia may not be aware of the behind-the-scenes issues – the bad jurisdiction that isn’t visible to the public eye,” Azizulhasni explained.
“What happened to me is just a small part of a larger problem – a problem that’s been affecting various events and countries at a level where such things simply shouldn’t happen.
“The Olympics only come around every four years, after all.”
Azizulhasni did not mince words when describing the ongoing issues that have plagued major competitions, such as the World Cup and World Championships.
“We had hoped to avoid these problems at the Olympics, especially after such meticulous preparations,” he said when met upon his arrival from Paris at KLIA.
“Judges should also be well-prepared. Yet we saw errors like incorrect lap counting and interference in key races, like the one between Jack Carlin and Jeffrey Hoogerland.
“It was clear there was favouritism toward certain countries. They claim to follow the rules, but their actions often contradict the very regulations they’re supposed to uphold.”
Beasley is now gearing up to take these grievances to the World Track Cycling Championships in October, where he plans to confront UCI leadership head-on in Ballerup, Denmark.
However, Azizulhasni has confirmed he will not be joining the national track cycling team for the event.
It is not just Malaysia raising concerns – countries like Japan, China, and the Netherlands have also expressed their discontent with UCI’s current leadership.
“At UCI, we have to adhere to their rules, even when they make mistakes,” Azizulhasni lamented.
“For example, if there are supposed to be three laps remaining but only two are shown, we must follow that count.
“This is unfair and fails to protect athletes. That’s why I believe all coaches, including John, will participate in the upcoming forum to advocate for our rights,” he added. – August 18, 2024