Nilai: National track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri has described her duel with world champion Hetty van de Wouw as her biggest learning experience despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the women's individual sprint at the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Cup today. Nurul Izzah lost to the Dutch rider after an impressive campaign in the first two rounds, as well as the qualifying round at the National Velodrome Nilai here.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 21-year-old rider also set a new national record after clocking 10.541 seconds in the qualifying round to place seventh fastest. The time erased her previous record of 10.658 seconds set at the Nations Cup in Konya, Turkiye, last year. Nurul Izzah expressed her satisfaction, stating, "Alhamdulillah, I managed to set a new national record. To make the top 10 and finish seventh in the qualifying round is among my biggest achievements."

Nurul Izzah explained that facing Hetty, last year's world champion, was one of the biggest lessons in her career, allowing her to learn tactically and gain valuable experience. She emphasized the importance of studying her opponent's movements and approach on the track, acknowledging the significant speed gap between them.

The Kedah-born athlete noted that the experience highlighted areas for improvement, including tactical aspects, power, and timing. She is set to compete in the keirin event tomorrow, aiming to apply the insights gained in her upcoming races.

In the 1/16 finals, Nurul Izzah defeated Zita Gheysens of Belgium in heat three, before overcoming Ukraine's Alla Biletska in heat seven of the 1/8 finals. Meanwhile, compatriot Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid exited the women's individual sprint in the 1/8 finals after losing to Stefany Lorena Cuadrado Florez of Colombia. Nur Alyssa had earlier secured a victory against Nicky Degrendele in heat eight of the 1/16 finals.