KUALA LUMPUR – National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri has admitted he has yet to identify anyone capable of replacing John Beasley should the long-serving technical director leave the national set-up, describing the Australian’s legacy as one that will be extremely difficult to match.
With Beasley’s contract set to expire in January next year, Harnizam said the 64-year-old achievements over two decades with the national squad have established a benchmark few, if any, can replicate.
“His achievements speak for themselves. If you look him up on Wikipedia or Google, the list of successes is extensive.
“Whether we like it or not, if he is no longer here, we will still have to continue the journey,” Harnizam told Scoop.
Speculation over Beasley’s future has intensified following reports that he is considering stepping down before the end of his contract amid frustration over several internal issues.
Beasley joined Malaysia’s national cycling programme in 2006 and is widely regarded as the architect of the country’s rise in world track cycling, particularly through his work with Datuk Azizulhasni Awang.
Under Beasley’s guidance, Azizulhasni developed from a promising teenager into one of the world’s premier keirin riders, winning the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Championships before claiming bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics and silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Asked whether efforts were underway to persuade Beasley to remain or identify a successor, Harnizam acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“At this moment, I do not see a single individual who is on the same level to replace him,” he said.
He added that should Beasley depart, the coaching staff and relevant stakeholders would need to reassess the national programme and redesign its long-term training framework.
“We will have to review the programme and determine which aspects cannot be carried out in the same way without his presence,” he said.
The uncertainty surrounding Beasley’s future comes at a pivotal time for Malaysian track cycling, with the national squad preparing for a packed international calendar and the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. – July 13, 2026