Track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus will miss the Asian Championships to focus on regaining full fitness for the final World Cup round in April.
NATIONAL track cycling star Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom will not compete at the Asian Track Cycling Championships (ACC) in the Philippines next month.
National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri said the decision was made to ensure the 30-year-old rider is fully fit for the final round of the 2026 Track Cycling World Cup in Nilai this April.
“Shah is not skipping the ACC because of an injury,” Harnizam told Bernama.
“He is already fit but needs to regain his strength before returning to competition.”
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The rider, nicknamed The Terminator, underwent knee surgery last year and was initially reported to be on an extended break until March.
He made a surprise return to competition in the elite men’s keirin event at the second round of the Asean Track Series last month.
Harnizam said national track cyclists will head to Melbourne for a centralised training camp as part of preparations for the 2026 ACC.
He confirmed Muhammad Shah Firdaus will also join the training camp despite not competing in the championship.
At last year’s ACC in Nilai, the Malaysian team finished second overall with two gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
Malaysia’s two gold medals were won by Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri in the women’s keirin and the 1-kilometre time trial. – Bernama
