Azizulhasni still has a place in the National Team - Beasley
The Australian coach also noted that the Terengganu-born cyclist’s comeback could serve as a significant motivation for the national squad, including riders Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and his younger brother Muhammad Ridwan.
SHAH ALAM - The national cycling team has opened its doors for track cycling star Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang to don the national jersey at future major championships and multi-sport events.
The offer was made by the team’s Technical Director John Beasley who said that the 37-year-old rider would always have a place in the national team.
This statement came in response to Azizulhasni’s unexpected decision to return to competitive racing, not with the national team, but as a professional rider.
The Australian coach also noted that the Terengganu-born cyclist’s comeback could serve as a significant motivation for the national squad, including riders Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and his younger brother Muhammad Ridwan.
“We have encouraged him to keep going and we see no reason why he should retire. He has always been an athlete who gives 100 per cent for the country.
“He has trained very hard for 18 years and only wanted a short break after the Paris Olympics to regain his fitness and mental strength.
“I am really looking forward to seeing him back. He is always welcome and he still has so much to contribute - not just as an athlete, but also as a mentor to help develop Shah Firdaus and Ridwan,” Beasley said.
As a professional rider, Azizulhasni would be eligible to compete in events sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) under the banner of Team Azizul.
However, for major competitions such as the World Championships and multisport events including the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, he would still be able to represent the country by wearing the national jersey.
Beasley emphasised that Azizulhasni’s leadership and competitive edge remained vital assets to the Malaysian track cycling camp.
“We certainly can not turn him away. He has his own unique expertise,” he said.
Beasley, who began coaching Malaysia in 2006, played a pivotal role in Azizulhasni’s rise from an ambitious teenager to one of the world’s top keirin cyclists.
Under his guidance, the cyclist known as The Pocket Rocketman won the world title in 2017, a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a silver at Tokyo 2020.
Paris 2024 was Beasley’s final appearance as head coach before transitioning into his current role as technical director.
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