NILAI, Malaysia, CMC – Nicholas Paul delivered a gutsy performance to capture a bronze medal in the men’s keirin at the UCI Track World Cup in Nilai here on Saturday.
Competing in a field that included world champion Harrie Lavreysen of the Netherlands, Asian Games champion Mohammed Azizulhasni Awang, Frenchman Rayal Helal, Henric Hackmann of Germany, and Japan’s Minato Nakaishi, Paul defied the odds to secure a podium finish.
After the derny took the front position, Paul settled for the back of the pack with Lavreysen some three spots ahead of him and the Asian champion even further ahead.
With three laps to go, the Trinidadian made his move as he attempted to chase Hackmann, who also made early movements to get ahead of the field.
Paul eventually tracked Hackman with a lap remaining, but then found himself in the midst of a desperate bunch seeking the top finish.
Still, it was Paul in front as the riders entered the final stretch to the finish line, but he was just pipped for the win by Awang, with Lavreysen taking the silver medal.
However, the news was not as good for his compatriot Makaira Wallace, who failed to advance past the round of 16 in the women’s sprint.
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