By LIM TEIK HUAT
KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang is called the Pocket Rocket Man by his peers in the international arena. And he now has a better machine for his races.
Azizul will be using the latest version of the Stealth BT, which is being touted as the most aerodynamic sprint bike when he makes his Olympic debut in Beijing next month.
The bike weighs in at only 6.8kg, which is the lightest weight permitted by the international cycling federation (UCI).
It is made from the same high-grade carbon fibre material currently used in jet fighters and space shuttles.
The sleek black and yellow machine cost more than RM60,000 and the Australians will also be using similar bikes in their pursuit of Olympic glory.
It was Azizul's performance in the Track World Championships in Manchester in March where he clocked the fastest time ever by an Asian cyclist that convinced the National Sports Council (NSC) that they had a world beater in the making and the bike was a worthy investment.
The 19-year-old Azizul set an Asian record of 10.160 in the 200m sprint and went on to bag two gold medals in the continent’s championships in Japan the following month.
He took delivery of the bike in May and sees it as the ideal weapon to use in chasing his Olympic dream.
“Australia's Ryan Bayley used the old version when he won two gold medals in the last Olympics in Athens. But the new bike is 1kg lighter. We have two bikes in the team and Edrus (Yunus) is using the other one for pacing,” said Azizul via e-mail from the team's training base in Valencia.
The Beijing-bound cyclists have been in Valencia for the past two weeks and they will be there until they leave for Beijing on Aug 6.
Edrus is the reserve rider for the team sprint. Azizul is the lead rider and the other members of the side are Josiah Ng and Rizal Tisin.
“The bike is one of the best money can buy and I feel proud to have it. The frame alone costs A$6,500 (about RM20,500) and the full cost depends on the components we use,” said Azizul.
The youngster made his rivals take notice of his potential by finishing fourth in a field of 61 cyclists in the GP von Deutschland in Germany last month.
All the top cyclists took part except for the French riders and Azizul, riding the new bike, enjoyed the satisfaction of eliminating world record holder Theo Bos of Holland in the third round.
“I will not get carried away by this result. This is the Olympics and everyone will be in their peak condition,” he said.
On being given the honour to be the flag bearer of the Malaysian contingent, Azizul said: “I'm proud to get the opportunity to carry the Malaysian flag at the opening ceremony (on Aug 8) and in competitions, this will also fire me up to give a performance to make my country proud.”
The Star
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