KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom kept Malaysian medal hopes in the men's keirin at the Paris Olympics alive after winning his first round repechage heat yesterday.
Shah, who was drawn third behind the derny, pipped France's Ryan Helal and Canada's Nick Wammes to the line at the Saint Quentin en Yvelines Velodrome.
Helal, who crossed the line second, was later relegated to last for an infringement earlier in the race and Wammes took the second spot. Only the top-two advanced to the quarterfinals which will be held later today.
Shah had earlier yesterday crossed the line third in his opening round heat behind Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul and Poland's Mateusz Rudyk but was later relegated to last and was given a warning.
He was judged to have ridden on the blue band during the race.
Azizulhasni Awang's campaign in the keirin came to a disastrous early end after he was disqualified in his first round heat after overtaking the derny before it left the track.
National contingent chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Amin disclosed that Malaysia had filed an appeal but was unable to overturn the decision.
The men's keirin quarterfinals, semi-finals and final will be held later today.