Fadhil Ends Keirin Drought With President S Cup Victory

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Fadhil Zonis said his victory in the President’s Cup series event came from ‘racing smart and waiting as long as possible before making my move’. (Bernama pic)
NILAI: National track cyclist Fadhil Zonis has proven that he is nearing his best after emerging as the champion in the men’s elite keirin event at the President’s Cup series today.
The 27-year-old clocked a perfect sprint time to win the final of the event at the national velodrome here, defeating South Korean rider Kang Seojun, who claimed second place, while Australian rider Sam Gallagher took third place.
Fadhil said his victory was highly satisfying, after only managing to secure a silver in the Series One keirin event on Jan 15, finishing behind Seojun.
“I haven’t won in the keirin event for a long time, so to be in first place is very satisfying. I was quite tired after three days of racing. I knew that if I sprinted too early, it could give an advantage to the other riders.
“I knew I had to race smart in this final and wait as long as possible before making my move, and it worked,” he said after the race.
The victory marks his first international keirin win since his success at the 2021 UCI Nations Cup in Hong Kong.
He secured a silver medal yesterday in the men’s elite individual sprint event, finishing behind Ridwan Sahrom.
The winning streak of woman cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri in the President’s Cup series this year ended as she claimed a silver medal in the women’s elite keirin event today.
The gold medal was won by South Korean cyclist Kim Haeun, who had lost to Izzah in the individual sprint event yesterday, while talented young rider Nur Alyssa Farid took the bronze medal. - FMT

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