Indonesia’s cycling team delivered back to back gold in the finals of the downhill mountian bike competition in Dane Soung, Saythany District, 30 km northwest of Vientiane, on Thursday.

Risa Suseanty kicked off the team's golden day in the women's race, giving Indonesia its first gold at the ‘09 SEA Games, and her first SEA gold since in eight years.

She shrugged off the strong Thai opposition, finishing first in three minutes and 13 seconds on the 1.6-kilometer downhill track thats design, reports say, was assisted by Thailand's officials.

Thai riders, Ausanee Pradupyard, 25, and Vipavee Deekaballes, 18, finished second and third, clocking times of 3:16.53 and 3:16.77 respectively.

Despite her strong history representing Indonesia at the SEA Games, at almost 30-years-old, many doubted Risa's racing credentials.

"I have proven today that age doesn't matter," said the 29-year-old cyclist, who added to her collection of 1997, 1999, 2001 SEA Games gold medals.

Her dominance was cracked at the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam due to rib injury. She still managed to walk away with silver. However, at the Philippines games in 2005 she only managed a bronze, causing many to questiion her future in the sport.

"I was felt the pressure. But I held it together and was well prepared for the challenge," said Risa, who is already eyeing the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, as well as the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

"I hope this country's first gold can also boost my spirit to become the best in Southeast Asia," said Risa, who is married to Singaporean cyclist Tan Hong Chun.

Chun competed in the men’s downhill event, finishing fifth, well behind gold-medallist Popo Ariyo Sejati of Indonesia.

Popo, who only placed third during Wednesday’s heats, followed Risa's golden ride by clocking two minutes and 49 seconds, also to the dismay of Thai riders.

Tanaphon Jarupeng scored two minutes and 50 seconds for the silver and Sittichai Ketkaewmanee two minutes 53 seconds for the bronze medal.

"I hope these two cycling golds can motivate the rest of the Indonesian squad to follow," said 23-year-old Popo, who adds his gold to the silver medal he won two years ago in Thailand.

Risa and Popo will also take part in the cross country events on Friday, supporting gold medal hopefuls Kusmawati Yazid in the women's event and Chandra Rafsanjani, Dadi Nurcahyadi and Bandi Sugito in the men's.

The Indonesian team is looking to take home six out of the eight gold medals on offer.

Head coach Wahyudi Hidayat said after the medal presentation that he was optimistic about the team’s chances after a gruelling season of training and tryouts but warned them against overconfidence.

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