World No 1 keirin cyclist Azizulhasni Awang will ride the most expensive bicycle in the world at the Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, Germany on Feb 27-March 1.
And it is not even a final product, as its specs will be further enhanced before the Tokyo Olympics in July.
Costing about RM300,000, the bike has a full carbon saddle and an integrated handlebar and stem, among others.
Azizul, Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Fadhil Zonis have qualified for the world meet and will leave for Germany on Sunday.
Coach John Beasley confirmed that Azizul will be riding the new bike at the world meet, which will be the final Olympic qualification event for track cycling.
The WXR Vorteq bike was developed in collaboration with Vorteq, a research and development company based in Silverstone and specialising in sports aerodynamics
“The bike, we are testing, will not be the end product. It is only a prototype but has received the go-ahead from the world cycling body (UCI).
Azizul will be using the final product only at the Olympics.
“Everyone is aiming for the Olympic gold, so we are looking at the marginal gains through research and innovation,” the Australian added.
Azizulhasni, who won a bronze at the 2016 edition, is looking forward to his first competitive meet of the year.
“My preparation were hampered after injuring my shoulder in Brisbane in early December but I think I am about 80 per cent recovered.
“I believe I will be in good condition for the Berlin assignment,” he said.