KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling programme technical director John Beasley has declared his riders as being "as ready as can be" for an assault on the podium at the Paris Olympics.
Beasley said they have prepared as best as possible and is now hoping they can execute well when it matters. He is also hoping to avoid bad luck.
Crashes and controversy are common in track cycling, especially in the keirin.
Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom will be gunning for gold in the men's keirin, which starts Saturday, but will first take to the track for the men's individual sprint tomorrow.
Izzah Izzati Asri will also begin her campaign in the women's keirin tomorrow followed by the individual sprint on Friday.
"To be honest we are all looking forward to the competition starting, we will (then) have a good idea as to how our form holds up against the rest," said Beasley yesterday.
"We are as ready as we can be and now it is just about dotting the i's and crossing the t's, we are ready.
"Lets now hope for no bad luck and lets see how the athletes can execute on the day. I have full belief and confidence they will perform well."
Azizulhasni, a bronze medallist at Rio 2016 and silver medallist at Tokyo 2020, is expected to be among the main contenders for the keirin gold though will face stiff opposition in the form of three-time keirin world champion Harrie Lavreysen (Netherlands) and Australian star Matthew Richardson.
The Dungun-born has already tasted success at the Saint Quentin en Yvelines Velodrome in the past and although the track has its quirks, should feel comfortable racing there.
"The velodrome is nice and Azizul won a world championship bronze medal there in the keirin a few years ago (2015)," added Beasley.
"The 200 metre qualifying (in individual sprint) will be a challenge as the track is one metre wider and it has a much steeper transition from banking to the straights which helps the heavier athlete.
"Though when it comes to racing it is a level playing field.
"The faster the track, the more it suits our riders as we are not big and heavy and strong.
"We are small, light and fast so we are looking forward to the track being fast on race day."
Besides track characteristics, air pressure also affects a rider's speed. Lower air pressures, which typically happens in overcast or rainy weather, produces faster times.
Izzah will be making her Olympic debut in Paris and although she is only expected to be a medal contender at Los Angeles 2028, could spring a surprise or two. At only 20, she already has three Asian Championships gold and an Asian Games bronze medal to her name.
The trio will be armed with the latest version of the WX-R Vorteq track bike, developed at a cost of RM7.5 million, as well as new skinsuits.