Azizul back on his own special bike as he eyes spot for world meet
The 2020 Olympic silver medallist revealed on his social media account that he was back at the Joe Caviola Velodrome in Melbourne, Australia, to start training on the bicycle, which was specially engineered to his physique and racing needs.
"I am back at this velodrome after about one year has passed.
"How happy I am to step into the Joe Caviola Velodrome. This was the first place I trained when I first came to Melbourne in 2007. I came at that time with the intention to raise the country's name," said the two-time Olympic medal winner in keirin.
"Nothing has changed and my determination stays the same.''
After leaving fans in the dark since his heartbreaking exit from the Paris Olympics last year, the former world champion cleared the air in May regarding his future by announcing that he will continue racing.
Azizul, who had previously hinted at retiring, will continue as a professional rider while receiving backing from the government in the form of a RM200,000 grant from the Youth and Sports Ministry through the National Sports Council (NSC).
The grant is to help him with training and competition expenses for the 2025-2026 period.
Azizul, who will now compete under Team Azizul, said the NSC also gave the nod for him to continue using his WX-R Vorteq bicycle.
"This bike was made for me – no one else can really use it.
"I am at the early phase of preparation. I was at the National Velodrome in Nilai to train with the guys back home before this but this is the first time I am back on the WX-R Vorteq bike.
"I want to maximise my time here and see where I stand from the data gained.
"Hopefully, I will improve further in the coming weeks," said the 37-year-old, who was recently named as the brand ambassador for Volkswagen Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines.
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