MALAYSIAN sprint cyclists will have the most expensive bikes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, costing a cool RM131,000 each (€28,000), according to a leaked document.

The leaked spreadsheet was sent recently to national cycling federations around the world and given to cycling publication BikeRadar by an industry source.

The spreadsheet revealed the cost of many of the track bikes and components registered with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for use at the next Olympic Games.

“The most expensive item on the list, the Worx Vorteq Track, is a frame made for the Malaysian sprint squad, according to our source,” said BikeRadar.

“Details are currently scant but more information is to be revealed on December 31, according to the Worx website,” it said.

In comparison, the report added that Team Great Britain would be using Hope HB.T, costing £15,500 (RM85,000) for the standard frameset.

Meanwhile, the FES B20 and FES B16, designed by Germany’s Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment, to be used by the German sprinters are priced at €14,143.40 and €10,607.55 respectively.

The list is provided to all national cycling associations to create a level-playing field by giving every competitor access to the same pool of commercially available bikes and components.

“Pocket Rocketman” Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, 31, is Malaysia’s great hope of winning a gold in the sprint events.

He won Malaysia’s first-ever Olympic Games cycling medal by finishing third in the men’s Keirin final in the last Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Tokyo will be his record fourth Olympic appearance.

The Malaysian Insight is awaiting comments from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation and Azizulhasni on the cost of track bikes to be used in Tokyo. – December 26, 2019.