KUALA LUMPUR – “It’s not the bike, it’s the cyclist,” said Malaysia’s track cycling ace Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, who will perform his swan song at the Paris Olympics in July.
Azizulhasni described a technologically equipped bike as merely a tool, emphasising that the rider’s ability is what will ultimately determine their success.
He will use the new WX-R Vorteq bike, equipped with the latest technology when he begins his central training in Europe next week.
Among the new features of this bike are improved friction, a new skinsuit, and optimised rider positioning – combining all elements to enhance performance.
Additionally, the bike will be available in an eye-catching orange hue, perfectly complementing Team Malaysia’s colour scheme for the Paris Olympics.
For Azizul, all this technology provides confidence to face fierce competition in Paris, but he stresses that it would not guarantee victory – it all boils down to the cyclist’s abilities.
“Many people don’t understand and assume that having a new bicycle guarantees victory, but that’s not true. It’s about making the competition fair, the same with every country.
“Before we conducted research and development on these bicycles, we were a step behind Great Britain and Germany because they had special bicycles they created themselves.
“We could train as hard as possible, and give our best efforts. But on race day, we might fall behind without this kind of technology. So for me, that’s not fair.
“After the Rio 2016 Olympics, when the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) implemented new regulations stating that all bicycles created must be open for sale in the market, all countries were free to conduct their own research and development.
“That’s when the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Sports Institute collaborated and explored this new field. We should be proud of what we have now because not all countries have it.
“Our technology is on par with Great Britain and Germany, even Japan, and this gives me, Shah (Shah Firdaus Sahrom), and Izzah (Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri) confidence because we are equipped with the best equipment. Now it all depends on our abilities, which are the engines of these bicycles,” said Azizul, who openly announced his aim to be the first Malaysian athlete to clinch gold in Paris.
With less than 50 days until the Paris Olympic Games commence, Azizulhasni expresses full confidence in coach John Beasley to devise the best strategy for him to realise his dream.
Back in Rio 2016, Azizulhasni brought home a bronze medal. In the subsequent Tokyo edition, he came close to ending Malaysia’s gold medal drought in the Olympics, only to succumb to the prowess of Jason Kenny in the final keirin race, settling for silver.
“I believe in John’s capabilities because he’s an expert in designing training programmes to reach a cyclist’s peak performance level.
“Many cyclists reach their peak either before or after major championships, but John is one of the world’s best coaches who knows the right time to achieve it,” he added. – Jun 6, 2024