Six facial stitches could not keep New Joe off track

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 3, 2026

Malaysian cyclist Lau New Joe competed in the men's omnium at the 2026 Asian Games despite sustaining a facial injury from a crash two days before the event. His decision to race underlines the physical and mental resilience demanded in track cycling, as injuries are common but athletes often choose to push through for critical competitions.

Malaysian track endurance cyclist Lau New Joe demonstrated remarkable resilience despite sustaining facial injuries shortly before competing at the 2026 Asian Games. The 21-year-old rider revealed that he was involved in an accident during a track testing session two days ahead of the men’s omnium final at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka, Japan.

Lau required six stitches after a visor cut his face in the crash but chose to compete despite the discomfort. He finished seventh in the omnium event on Friday, October 2, accumulating a total of 110 points across the four races: 24 points in the scratch race, 28 in the tempo race, 30 in the elimination race, and 28 in the points race.

This latest setback follows an earlier incident in August during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games when Lau suffered a heavy fall that resulted in five broken teeth along with multiple abrasions and lacerations. Reflecting on his recent crash, Lau commented on his familiarity with accidents in the sport, expressing frustration at his misfortune but relief at being able to participate.

“I honestly don’t know what happened ... I’m unlucky,” he said. “If I missed this race today, I know I would definitely regret it as I would have to wait for another four years. I’m just happy to be able to race although I’m not happy with the result.”

Track cycling director John Beasley praised Lau’s determination and mental toughness. Beasley explained that the injury occurred when another rider slid on the track and collided with Lau, causing the visor to cut his face. The cyclist had requested to keep the injury private until after his competition to maintain his focus.

“He is a very tough and brave boy because all he was worried about was starting the race,” Beasley said. “He is an extremely committed athlete. If this was a football player, they would be out for a season but for cyclists, it’s all part of the sport and something everyone just gets on and deals with it.”

Despite the challenges, Lau’s decision to compete highlights the resilience often required in professional cycling, where injuries frequently occur but athletes continue to push through in pursuit of their goals.

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