Familiar Izu Velodrome holds no surprises for experienced track squad
NAGOYA: National riders will be returning to a familiar venue when they take to the track at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday.
NAGOYA: Track athletes from across the nation will gather at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday. This velodrome holds a special place in the hearts of many national riders, having served as the stage for Olympic silver medalist Azizulhasni Awang in 2020 and a notable bronze double in the 2016 Asian Championships.
Harnizam Basri, Japan's national track cycling head coach for sprints, is confident that his squad will find no challenges adapting to the conditions at the Izu Velodrome. The 3,600-capacity venue boasts long straights and sharply curved corners, setting it apart from other tracks. Harnizam notes that, compared to the National Velodrome in Nilai, the Izu Velodrome is wider by about a meter and features slightly steeper banking at 45 degrees, as opposed to 44 degrees in Nilai.
These slight variations make the track more favorable for powerful riders, who can accumulate greater momentum.
While most of the national riders are familiar with the Izu Velodrome, as they have raced there before, Akmal Jusena is making his debut appearance. Akmal will be participating in the team sprint event alongside teammates Fadhil Zonis and Ridhwan Sahrom. The Izu Velodrome, opened in 2011, is the sole 250-meter indoor velodrome with a wooden track in Japan. Japan, known for inventing the keirin race, typically prefers outdoor asphalt tracks that are 333 meters or longer.
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