National track cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified from the men's keirin event at the Paris Olympics on 10 August after cycling ahead of the motorized pace-setter.

Azizulhasni was competing in Heat 1 against five other riders: Matthew Glaetzer from Australia, Jeffrey Hoogland from the Netherlands, Kaiya Ota from Japan, Jair Tjon En Fa from Suriname, and Rayan Helal from France.

Before the pace-setter could exit the track in the third lap, Azizulhasni surged ahead, prompting officials to pause the race for review. After a brief deliberation, it was announced that Azizulhasni had been disqualified. According to a report by FMT, an appeal has been filed.

During the live broadcast, the 36-year-old cyclist was seen shaking his head when the starting pistol signaled the race's pause. The commentator noted, "This is maybe the reason we are getting a replay here. We can see now Awang did pass the motorbike before it was off the track."

What is the keirin rule?

Keirin is a cycling event that tests riders' endurance and speed. Competitors ride behind a motorized pace-setter at increasing speeds until the third lap, after which the pace-setter exits the track, and riders sprint to the finish. Advancing ahead of the pace-setter before it exits the track results in disqualification.

Glaetzer won Heat 1 with a time of 9.876 seconds. Meanwhile, another national racer, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, finished third in Heat 5 and will compete in the repechage round.

Watch here:

Detik detik Datuk Azizulhasni Awang DISQUALIFIED!

im cryinggggg, nooo😭😭
doakan beliau agar dapat masuk reprecharge untuk tebus balik !!#Olympic2024 #CyclingTrack pic.twitter.com/IYG3skIkMs

— luna's (@saraha1dee) August 10, 2024