KUALA LUMPUR: National cycling technical director John Beasley has revealed the discovery of a 16-year-old rider he described as a “raw diamond\u201d with the potential to develop into a future world-class track cyclist.<\/p>\n
Without disclosing the athlete\u2019s identity, Beasley said the youngster has already clocked an impressive time of around 10.4 seconds, thus making him one of the most promising talents he has seen since taking up his role in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
“He\u2019s probably the best specimen that I\u2019ve seen come through in the group since I\u2019ve been in Malaysia. Obviously, he\u2019s a raw diamond and there\u2019s a lot of cutting and polishing that has to happen.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m pretty sure he\u2019s got the size, the qualities and the force to be a world-class cyclist,\u201d the Australian-born coach said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beasley said the next few years would be crucial in shaping the youngster\u2019s development, including learning through inevitable mistakes along the way.<\/p>\n
On development plans, Beasley said the cyclist would be sent to the Junior World Championships this year primarily for exposure before targeting a podium challenge in the following edition.<\/p>\n
“I think over the next four years, you\u2019re going to see another emerging champion coming through,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Beasley emphasised that talent identification remains a key priority to ensure the continuity of Malaysia\u2019s track cycling success.<\/p>\n
He said the country has long been “starved of quality\u201d, not due to a lack of talent, but shortcomings in identifying athletes at the grassroots level.<\/p>\n
“They\u2019re out there, walking in the streets, but they\u2019re just not identified. If we\u2019ve got to go and find them, that\u2019s my job.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ll take that upon myself as the technical director. I need to feed the next generation of coaches with good athletes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On paper, Malaysia still has little choice but to rely on national track cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang, now 38, as its best bet in every race\u00a0with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28) just about two years away.<\/p>\n
At the 2026 Track Cycling World Cup at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan last week, Azizulhasni nicknamed “Pocket Rocketman\u201d, produced a sensational performance by winning gold in the men\u2019s keirin ahead of world champion Harrie Lavreysen of Holland, while also claiming bronze in the individual sprint. –\u00a0Bernama<\/p>\n
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