Malaysia’s final round of the 2026 Track Cycling World Cup in Nilai has attracted 46 countries, a record turnout for the prestigious event.
NILAI: The final round of the 2026 Track Cycling World Cup has drawn a remarkable 46 countries to Malaysia. National Cycling Federation of Malaysia president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill described the turnout as exceptional, especially after a 25-year wait to host the event again.
He confirmed that 370 riders and 160 officials have registered for the competition at the National Velodrome. This surpasses the 32 countries that participated in the recent World Cup round in Perth, Australia.
The event will feature top international stars, including five-time Olympic champion Harrie Lavreysen of the Netherlands. Other confirmed athletes are Nicholas Paul from Trinidad and Tobago, France’s Sebastien Vigier, Germany’s Luca Spiegel and Poland’s Danial Staniszewski.
Local hopes will rest on national icons Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom. Amarjit expressed hope that ‘The Pocket Rocketman’ Azizulhasni and Shah Firdaus would deliver strong performances for the home crowd.
The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, will officiate the opening ceremony. Amarjit, who is also vice-president of the International Cycling Union, stated all parties have shown strong commitment to ensure the event’s success.
He highlighted the event’s significance as a key platform for Olympic qualifying points ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This marks a historic moment for Malaysian and Asian cycling, as the country last hosted the Track Cycling World Cup in 2001.