It was a heartbreaking moment for ‘Pocket Rocketman’ Azizulhasni Awang after his disqualification in the keirin event at the Paris Olympics. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

National track cycling champion Azizulhasni Awang says he had unintentionally overtaken the derny – a motorised bicycle used as a pacer – in the first round of the keirin event while jostling for position with a French rider, leading to his disqualification.

In a Facebook post following his shock exit last night, Azizulhasni said it could have been due to two factors: he was being continuously blocked by the French rider, and the derny moving at a speed of only 40kmh to 45kmh, “not at the speed it should (be doing) and did not accelerate as usual”.

Azizulhasni, dubbed “Pocket Rocketman”, who was aiming for a gold medal after having bagged a silver and a bronze in previous Games, said he had been drawn last among the six riders in his heat.

“Following discussions with coach John Beasley, the best plan was to continue forward and try to get to the leading position as early as possible.

Azizulhasni Awang and the French rider jostling for position at the start of the heat. (Facebook pic)

“I had to choose the best tactics to increase my chances of winning,” he said, adding that this was what he did at the Tokyo Olympics.

However, he said, with a lap to go before the derny pulled out, he had a close brush with the French rider and received an “aggressive bump” and almost fell.

“I was struggling with the French rider and noticed that the derny had not yet accelerated (to the usual 50kmh-55kmh). I was surprised but, unfortunately, I did not have time to slow down.

“Based on the race rules, the racer’s rear wheel must not pass the derny before it exits at the pursuit line. Was my rear wheel ahead? My answer is yes, but it was unintentional …”

Azizulhasni said the Malaysian team explained the situation to the jury and requested them to review the video of the race and the results, “but they chose to stick with the decision (disqualification)”.

“The situation reminded me of the final keirin race at the Rio Olympics where the race had to be stopped twice and restarted without a single rider being removed from the race,” he said, acknowledging however that the jury’s decision was final.

“Once upon a time, coaches and teams could bring arguments and videos to be reviewed, but things have changed.”

Azizulhasni said that moving forward, he hoped all Malaysians will support teammate Shah Firdaus Sahrom, who has qualified for the quarter-finals of the event, to bring home the gold medal.

“I believe Shah Firdaus can do it,” he said.

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2 factors for shock exit, says Azizulhasni

National track cycling champion Azizulhasni Awang says he was being continuously blocked by a rider, and the derny had not accelerated as he had expected.