KUALA LUMPUR: Ridwan Sahrom and Fadhil Zonis are the two most likely candidates to step up to the second rider slot if track cycling great Azizulhasni Awang does decide to retire from the national team.
Azizulhasni has long said that he will retire after the Paris Olympics but was recently asked to continue by his team members. The 36-year-old earlier this week said he needs time to discuss this with his family.
Ridwan's brother Shah Firdaus Sahrom, 28, who reached the keirin final in Paris, will continue to ride for the national team.
Each nation is only allowed to enter two riders in each event - including the individual sprint and keirin - at major multi-sport games such as the Olympics though countries can register more riders via trade teams in smaller tournaments.
National track cycling programme technical director John Beasley said that both Ridwan, 22, and Fadhil, 26, have a chance of filling the vacancy if Azizulhasni retires.
"Ridwan and Shah are very similar. He has all the attributes and qualities of his brother," said Beasley recently.
"But don't expect results too soon, he will be a slow burner like his brother. It will take at least four years before we see real consistency and a breakout performance at a really high level.
"We just need to give him the exposure and experience he needs.
"For sure Fadhil also has a chance (of filling the slot). Fadhil is a massive part of the programme. When he is going, he is just as good as any of them."
Fadhil is the current national record holder in the 1 kilometre time trial.
He grabbed headlines after winning a gold and silver (keirin and 1km time trial) at the Hong Kong leg of the UCI Nations Cup in 2021.
He has, however, had limited opportunities to race in the keirin in major international competitions.
Ridwan has shown some promising performances this season, which includes beating Shah to win the keirin at the President's Cup in Nilai in May.