KUALA LUMPUR: Azizulhasni Awang's chances of finishing on the world championship podium for the first time since 2020 received a boost after it was confirmed that Great Britain's star sprinter Matthew Richardson has been sent home from the ongoing Shanghai world meet.
British Cycling yesterday confirmed that Richardson had been withdrawn from the competition though did not disclose the reason.
A media report earlier this week, however, alleged that Richardson had been accused of serious misconduct.
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Richardson acknowledged his withdrawal and said he will cooperate with procedures taken by British Cycling.
"I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the world championships," he said on social media.
"British Cycling said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures.
"I will cooperate fully with its processes. I assure everyone that I will do so properly and appropriately, with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected."
Richardson is currently the fastest cyclist on the planet over 200 metres. He clocked 8.857 seconds - the current world record - at the Konya Nations Cup last year.
His omission from the meet thus opens up the competition especially in the men's individual sprint and keirin events, both of which Azizulhasni is scheduled to compete in.
Richardson was expected to continue his rivalry with Dutch great Harrie Lavreysen at the Shanghai Velodrome.
Lavreysen, who claimed four gold medals at last year's Santiago World Championships, remains the out and out favourite to win both events.
Despite his advancing years, Azizulhasni has been in the form of his life this season. The 38-year-old clinched two keirin gold medals in the UCI World Cup series this year, beating Richardson in the Perth final and Lavreysen in the Nilai final.
But with Olympic qualification points for the 2028 Los Angeles Games at stake in Shanghai, Lavreysen will be tough to beat.
The Pocket Rocketman will, however, be at a disadvantage as he has had to taper twice in the lead-up to the world meet for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in August and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games a fortnight ago. He won the keirin gold at both games.
The 2017 world keirin champion, who took time away from the sport after Paris 2024, did not compete in the past two editions of the world championships.
The last time Malaysia won a medal at the world meet was during the 2020 Berlin edition when Azizulhasni won two bronzes via the keirin and individual sprint.
The men's keirin event will be held in Shanghai tomorrow.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd