The Cycling Olympians 2008

Junaidi dropped, Edrus sole reserve

By : Arnaz M. Khairul

AFTER much consideration, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) has decided on just four riders instead of five to fly the flag in the Beijing Olympics.

Junaidi Nasir who has just recovered from an operation to correct a career-threatening back injury, has been dropped and Edrus Yunus (pic) will go as the sole reserve.

The preliminary list, according to MNCF's registration submitted to the Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee (BOGOC), has been submitted by track committee chairman Datuk Naim Mohamad.

To ride the keirin are Asian champion Azizul Hasni Awang and Josiah Ng, with Rizal Tisin joining them in the team sprint.

Azizul, who is also the Asian 200m sprint champion, will take up Malaysia's slot in that event at the Olympics, with Josiah who contested it in Athens for years ago, named as reserve.
The quartet and coach John Beasley are currently in Germany to continue their final preparations for the Olympics, which will be completed with a three-week stint in Valencia, Spain.

Naim said the registration was finalised after input from Beasley, and the rest of the squad are in agreement.

"Josiah and Azizul will ride the keirin since Josiah qualified on merit and Azizul takes up a wildcard slot, while in the 200m sprint, based on current performance, Azizul should be out best bet," said Naim.

The two-pronged attack in the keirin this time should make the event Malaysia's best bet to land the elusive cycling medal.

Azizul last week showed just what form he is in when he defeated reigning Olympic champion Ryan Bayley and Australian champion Mark French in the final of the Revolution series in Melbourne.