Shah Firdaus To Skip ACC 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- National track cycling star Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom will skip the Asian Track Cycling Championships (ACC) in the Philippines in March, said national track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri.

He 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. He is already fit but needs to regain his strength before returning to competition,” he told Bernama.

Previously, the media reported that Muhammad Shah Firdaus had to take an extended break until March after undergoing knee surgery last year.

However, the rider, nicknamed The Terminator, made a surprise appearance in the elite men’s keirin event at the second round of the Asean Track Series (President’s Cup) 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 said 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 after collecting two gold, four silver and four bronze medals.

Malaysia’s two gold medals were contributed by Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri in the women’s keirin and the 1-kilometre time trial.

-- BERNAMA