KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s track cycling team is keeping a Plan B in reserve should ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang be unable to compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with his participation still undecided.
National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri said no final decision had been received from the 38-year-old, although he remained hopeful that the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games keirin champion would continue with preparations as planned.
“Plan B is always there. We will see how things develop. So far, Azizulhasni has not given us a final answer.
“If he cannot be with the team, we have to carry on. Perhaps Shah (Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom) will have to step up a little,” he told reporters during a visit by the deputy chef de mission to the track cycling venue at the National Velodrome here today.
Harnizam said Azizulhasni remained in the team’s plans for a three-week training camp in Brisbane, Australia, beginning next Monday, with his flight ticket already issued.
“For now, he is still in the plan to go because the ticket has already been issued. We just don’t know whether he will eventually pull the handbrake or what,” he said.
Harnizam, who last spoke to Azizulhasni yesterday, said the cyclist was currently in Melbourne with his family.
He stressed that Azizulhasni’s presence would still be valuable to the team, not only for his ability on the track but also for the experience and guidance he could offer the younger riders.
“We really want him because he can guide the younger riders in the team. We want him to be part of the team, but at the same time he has issues that need to be dealt with and we don’t know how things will develop.
“I think everyone wants him. Perhaps the whole country wants him because he is still there and still capable,” he said.
Local media yesterday reported that national cycling technical director John Beasley said Azizulhasni might skip the Brisbane training camp and World Championships in Shanghai before announcing his retirement if discussions on his future towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are not held soon.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Malaysia will compete in the men’s and women’s individual sprint, keirin and team sprint, as well as the men’s criterium, with 10 riders named in the squad, including Azizulhasni. – August 28, 2026