KUALA LUMPUR: Former national rider Sayuti Zahit believes Azizulhasni Awang must be prepared to take "big risks" in the keirin track cycling event final if he is to win gold at the Paris Olympics.
Sayuti said Azizulhasni - a silver medallist at Tokyo 2020 and Bronze medallist at Rio 2016 - already has the experience needed to navigate tricky situations in keirin racing and must use that to his advantage.
The keirin is considered a high-risk event where crashes are common and tactical awareness is crucial.
"Datuk Azizul already has the experience, he knows what it takes to win medals as he has proven in Rio and Tokyo," said Sayuti yesterday.
"In terms of physical strength, he may be lacking compared to the top riders from Europe so he will have to race smart. In the keirin anything can happen, so luck also plays a role.
"The final will essentially be a do or die situation, If he wants to be the champion he has to take big risks.
"If a rider does not take risks, then you will likely settle for second or third place. Big risk, big reward.
"For example, Sir Jason Kenny took a risk during the Tokyo final and won although he was not the favourite at the time."
A tactical faux pas by an Australian rider during the Tokyo 2020 keirin final allowed Kenny to launch an audacious early attack and run away with the gold.
Besides Azizulhasni, Sayuti listed Netherland's Harrie Lavreysen, Australia's Matthew Richardson, Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul as well as Japan's Shinji Nakano and Kaiya Ota as among the contenders in Paris.
Sayuti said the men's individual sprint event qualifiers will give an early indication of which riders are in strong form.
"The sprint qualifying round, which is over 200 metres, will give us a good idea of who the keirin contenders will be," said Sayuti.
"Whoever places in the top-five will likely have a good shot at the medal in the keirin."
Sayuti is a former national track endurance and road rider who won silver at the 2006 Asian Championships. He is currently team principal of Malaysia Pro Cycling, a UCI continental racing team.
Azizulhasni and teammates Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Izzah Izzati Asri are currently undergoing a final training camp in Mallorca, Spain. They will travel to Paris on Thursday.
The men's individual sprint event will begin on Aug 7 while the keirin starts on Aug 10.