Malaysian cycling legend Azizulhasni Awang has received glowing praise from an international commentator following his impressive victory in the keirin event at the opening round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Perth, Australia.
During the live broadcast of the race, renowned commentator Scott McGrory described the Malaysian star as*one of the most intelligent sprint cyclists in the world, highlighting his remarkable tactical awareness and experience.
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>McGrory called it a 'masterclass performance' from the Malaysian rider, noting that at 38 years old, Azizulhasni continues to compete at the highest level of international track cycling.
In the dramatic keirin final at the Perth SpeedDome velodrome, Azizulhasni started the race from fifth position. However, the Malaysian cyclist demonstrated exceptional race intelligence by closely following world number one Matthew Richardson before launching a perfectly timed sprint towards the finish.
The race ended in a nail-biting finish and required a photo-finish review to determine the winner, with Azizulhasni eventually confirmed as the gold medallist.
McGrory also praised Azizulhasni’s calmness and strategic patience, explaining that the Malaysian rider waited for the perfect moment to attack before overtaking his rivals in the final meters of the race.
The victory further strengthened Azizulhasni’s reputation as one of the world’s most respected track cyclists, even after more than two decades competing at the elite level.
Following the victory, Azizulhasni revealed that his focus now shifts to several major competitions in the coming months, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Asian Games.
The Malaysian icon, affectionately known as 'The Pocket Rocketman', also hinted that the current World Cup season could be his last, although he has not ruled out competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics -- joking that he may need permission from his wife first.
Even at 38, Azizulhasni continues to prove that experience, intelligence, and tactical brilliance can still dominate the world stage.
