{
  "id": 13912082,
  "title": "New Shanghai Velodrome poses fresh challenges for national riders",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/new-shanghai-velodrome-poses-fresh-challenges-for-national-riders",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T08:26:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/cycling/2026/10/1553755/new-shanghai-velodrome-poses-fresh-challenges-national-riders"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "National track cycling riders are set to compete at the Shanghai World Championships from October 14-18, facing new challenges at China's new flagship indoor track, the Shanghai Velodrome. Harnizam Basri, head coach (sprints), revealed that the squad has no prior experience racing at this venue, as it is the first time they are hosting a major international competition. The lack of data on the track has prompted the team to conduct several training sessions to determine the best racing strategy, with a focus on selecting the appropriate gears. Harnizam noted that the track shares similarities with the Izu Velodrome in Japan, where the squad recently competed during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, but is described as \"heavier\" due to its sea-level conditions and higher barometric pressure. The Shanghai Velodrome, officially opened in May 2024, is located on Chongming Island and serves as a UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) Continental Development Satellite. The world championships will kick off on Wednesday with Malaysian riders participating in the men's team sprint and women's team sprint events, with former world keirin champion Azizulhasni Awang set to compete in the men's keirin race on Thursday.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: National track riders competing at the Shanghai World Championships on Oct 14-18 will have to adapt quickly to conditions at the Shanghai Velodrome, China's new flagship indoor track.",
  "key_points": [
    "Shanghai Velodrome, China's new indoor track, hosts first major international competition.",
    "National riders lack prior experience racing at this venue.",
    "Track shares similarities with Izu Velodrome in Japan but is heavier due to sea-level conditions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}