# Anger and sympathy follow Awang’s Olympic DQ

*By Simon | August 11, 2024*

![Anger and sympathy follow Awang’s Olympic DQ](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/ucirule.jpg)

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![](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/ucirule-jpg.webp)

## 󠀁[Anger and sympathy follow Awang’s Olympic DQ](https://globalkeirin.com/2024/08/anger-and-sympathy-follow-awangs-olympic-dq/)󠁿

11 August 2024

Azizulhasni Awang pointed the finger at France’s Rayan Helal and the derny pilot
in comments following his
[first-round disqualification](https://globalkeirin.com/2024/08/dramatic-first-day-ends-french-hopes-in-olympic-keirin/)
from the Olympic keirin competition.

Writing on social media (
_with the warning that we’re relying on computer translation here_), the
Malaysian superstar confirmed that his plan had been to claim the front as
quickly as possible, as he expected several riders ahead of him to attack early.

With one lap left before the pacer pulled out, I had already started moving
forward slowly from behind. The plan was to move forward and be on the outside
of the first or second rider, and after the pacer pulled out, I would continue
to accelerate to take the front position.

However, when passing the third corner and before entering the fourth corner, I
was blocked by pressure from the French rider. The pressure was too aggressive,
and for me, it was intentionally aggressive as it caused a collision, and I
almost fell. I was saved from falling due to my quick reaction and good handling
skills.

Not only that, he was still closely following beside me and kept trying to
pressure me from the side. In such a situation, my reaction was to move forward
to avoid him.

As an elite Keirin rider, we know the speed for the pacer before they pull out.
Usually, on the last lap, the pacer will pull out after passing the fourth
corner at a speed of 50-55 km/h. However, in my race earlier, the pacer was
moving slower than the actual speed and did not pull out after the fourth
corner.

While I was in a tussle with the French rider, I noticed the pacer had not yet
pulled out, which surprised me. I tried to backpedal as a way to brake, but
unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to slow down to the desired speed.

According to the race rules, the rear wheel of a rider cannot overtake the pacer
before the pacer pulls out at the pursuit line, which is a thin line in the
middle of the front stretch (not the starting line).

Did my rear wheel overtake the pacer before the pacer pulled out? My answer is
yes, but it was unintentional and due to two reasons: first, the constant
blocking and pressure from the French rider, and second, because the pacer was
moving at only 40-45 km/h, not at the usual speed, and did not pull out as
usual.

That isn’t _quite_ what the
[UCI rulebook](https://www.uci.org/regulations/3MyLDDrwJCJJ0BGGOFzOat) says,
though. Rule 3.2.140, modified in October 2016, talks about ‘riders pass(ing)
the leading edge of the front wheel of the pacer’. This is backed up by a series
of illustrations, showing that an infraction happens when the front wheel of a
rider passes the front wheel of the derny.

Awang also posted a video confirming that Helal had indeed come out of line into
corner two, forcing him up the track. But the video also shows his front wheel
is well ahead of the derny’s front wheel into the back straight.

> Netizen luahkan rasa kecewa terhadap keputusan penyertaan jaguh trek
> berbasikal negara, Dato' Azizulhasni Awang dibatalkan pada pusingan pertama
> acara keirin Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 akibat kesalahan memotong pacer awal
> pagi tadi.
> ChatGPT pun cakap sepatutnya keputusan tu adil…
> [pic.twitter.com/7xAeATzmIR](https://t.co/7xAeATzmIR)
> — Hot FM 🇲🇾 (@hotfm976)
> [August 11, 2024](https://twitter.com/hotfm976/status/1822521282883465460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

_The best video we’ve found of the Helal/Awang tussle_

It’s conceivable that the commissaires might have accepted Awang’s appeal that
he was taking evasive action to avoid a crash.

But with criticism of inconsistent decisions in previous days, and with the
memory of Rio’s chaotic keirin final, it’s easy to see why the commissaires
would enforce the rule exactly as it is (currently) written. It’s hard to cite
Rio as a precedent for leniency, as some have done, when the rule was
specifically clarified after Rio.

Awang’s exit has been huge news in Malaysia. The country’s youth and sports
minister, Hannah Yeoh wrote
[on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/reel/7965061690252425): ‘For the parents
who were watching the race with their children and having to deal with many
questions ‘What happened? And why?’, please take the time to explain it to them.

‘It’s not going to be easy, but you must help them process it even as you
struggle to accept it yourself.’

She urged people to ‘be kind to Azizul and his team during this difficult time.
Especially so for his young family. Be kind with your words.’

But Malaysian fans were quick to accuse the UCI of double standards, and even
racism following the decision.

**Categories:** Original
**Tags:** paris2024