KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling programme technical director John Beasley has again stressed the need for independent adjudicators in track cycling.
The Australian, who has guided the Malaysian squad for almost two decades now, claimed that currently "smaller nations" including Malaysia were more often than not given a "raw deal" by commissaires when decisions are made.
At the ongoing World Championships in Ballerup, Denmark, national rider Izzah Izzati Asri hit the line first in her women's individual sprint first round race (1/16 round) against Germany's Alessa-Catriona Propster on Thursday (Oct 17) but was later relegated.
The commissaire deemed that Izzah had not held her line during the final sprint.
Malaysia has over the years been dealt a number of questionable decisions both at the World Championships and the Olympics.
"Izzah's target was to finish in the top-16 in the world and she has achieved that target. She would have placed 10th if she was not robbed by a terribly biased decision that should be looked into by the UCI after the conclusion of these championships," said Beasley yesterday.
"Yes, this was a German commissaire making a decision regarding a German athlete that was clearly not right.
"The UCI have to appoint an independent person to adjudicate track cycling at these big occasions, such as World Championships and Olympic Games, as it is currently not a fair system.
"Almost all other sports have an independent adjudication process though UCI track cycling does not unfortunately, and it seems small nations such as Malaysia get a raw deal on most occasions."
Beasley, who is with the team in Denmark, added that currently many commissaires are not from a cycling background.
"Commissaires are a massive issue at present, they used to come from retired cyclists who understood the sport through racing a bike. They used to be approachable and be willing to listen to your view," said Beasley.
"But these days there is a big trend of commissaires, who adjudicate our sport, that have never ridden a bike.
"Subsequently, they just don't understand a lot of incidents that take place during a race and in some cases make the wrong decision. After all, they are human.
"At the end of the day, it should be all about the athletes but sports seems to be fast becoming more about officials and adjudicators political addenda and importance and less about focusing on providing a fair and level playing field for the athletes."
Beasley added that he was also pleased with Shah Firdaus Sahrom's ninth place finish in the men's keirin at the world meet.
"Shah is sick and has a virus so he did well to finish ninth in the world. He is starting to get consistent results at the biggest occasions," said Beasley.
Shah and his younger brother Ridwan will compete in the men's individual sprint which will begin later today.
Izzah and Anis Amira Rosidi will next compete in the women's keirin tomorrow.