Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom took gold in the men’s keirin on the first day of a curious two-day race schedule at the South East Asian Games.

The 24 year old beat the Thai pair of Jai Angsuthasawit and Norasetthada Bunma on the outdoor track at Hua Mak, Bangkok. You can see the race in full here on Instagram (sorry, it won’t embed).

Angsuthasawit charged from the back to the front down the home straight as the bell sounded. Ridwan was alert to the danger, slotting into second place behind the Thai rider down the back straight, and getting his wheel in front in the nick of time, to win by half a bike length.

Ridwan was quick to acknowledge the support of his brother Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, missing from the event as he recovers from long-overdue knee surgery.

Track cycling is making its return to the event for the first time since Kuala Lumpur hosted in 2017. But it’s a very limited programme, featuring only men’s team pursuit, men’s team sprint, men’s keirin, men’s points race, and a women’s scratch race.

Malaysia won all three golds on offer on day one, with victories for their team pursuit squad, and Mohamad Zubir Nur Aisyah in the scratch.

Bernama TV has photos from the racing, plus interviews with Ridwan and the successful Malaysian team pursuit lineup.

As we noted previously, Malaysia will host the SEA Games in 2027, so it’s safe to assume track cycling – and keirin specifically – will be present next time too.