KUALA LUMPUR: Former national riders Josiah Ng and Sayuti Zahit will not be surprised if up-and-coming Izzah Izzati Asri makes a major impact on her Olympic debut in Paris next week.
With medal hopes resting on the shoulders of senior riders Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Josiah said Izzah is set to be a "bonus play" for Malaysia in Paris.
"I have seen a few videos of her and she is probably just as good (talent-wise) as Fatehah (Mustapa), though not in terms of results just yet," said Josiah recently.
"She is a bonus play for us as in the keirin anything can happen. She could make the final and if she does, she has a 50 per cent chance of a medal (as there are six riders in final).
"I am not going to bet against her making the final but I also won't bet against her not making it past the first round. It could go either way.
"Ultimately, she is a long-term project and if she makes it past the first round we should be happy."
Sayuti said Izzah is a tenacious competitor and believes her "underdog" status could play to her advantage.
"Although Izzah is still new, John Beasley (national programme technical director) has already brought her to the World Cup series as well as the World Championships so she does have racing experience at the highest level," said Sayuti recently.
"From my observation, she is not your usual rider. She is very aggressive when she races and she is quick to react to situations during the race. Her character sets her apart from other Malaysian riders.
"As a newcomer and an underdog, she has nothing to lose. If she can quickly adapt to the conditions and manage the pressure, I am confident she can do something special."
Izzah, at only 20, has already established herself as one of the top track sprint riders in Asia.
She won two gold, one silver and one bronze at the Asian Championships in New Delhi in February.
She will open her campaign in Paris in the women's keirin at Saint Quentin en Yvelines on Wednesday. The women's individual sprint will begin on Friday.