Nilai: National track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang has described his men's keirin gold medal victory at the 2026 Track Cycling World Cup at the National Velodrome here as a very special moment in his career.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, amid rapturous applause from thousands of home fans, Azizulhasni, nicknamed the 'Pocket Rocketman', admitted that competing on home ground required exceptional mental strength to cope with pressure and the country's high expectations. He expressed that racing at home is challenging due to the pressure and expectations, but he managed to tap into his nearly 20 years of experience to stay focused.

Azizulhasni shared that his approach since the morning session was to take it one step at a time, making the night special by competing in front of his home crowd, including his family. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist faced a tough challenge in the second round of the morning session when he had to sprint earlier than planned after being boxed in by rivals, which left him exhausted.

He noted that the hot weather conditions required him to be mindful of sports science aspects, particularly hydration and nutrition, to ensure optimal performance in the final. He highlighted the importance of balancing hydration and nutrition to maintain the quality of his sprints, expressing satisfaction with the outcome on this significant night.

In the final, Azizulhasni seized the opportunity at the right moment to launch an offensive and sprint to the finish line, attributing his success to his experience. His outstanding performance saw him surpass reigning world champion Harrie Lavreysen of the Netherlands, with Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul finishing third.

This victory marked Azizulhasni's second World Cup win of the season, following his triumph in Perth, Australia, in March.