The Indonesian Cycling Federation (ISSI) has started the new year with a busy week as it will host the Asian Track Championship starting on Wednesday, welcoming hundreds of cyclists from 16 countries to compete at the Jakarta International Velodrome in East Jakarta.

The competition, which will comprise elite and junior divisions, will feature a paracycling event with athletes from four countries participating in the race. The championship will also provide Tokyo Olympics qualification points for cyclists who top the podium.

Some 297 cyclists from countries such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand will take part in the competition. Top names such as Rio Olympics bronze medalist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia and hopeful host Crismonita Dwiputri will push their boundaries to be the best for their countries.

Indonesia will deploy 14 cyclists in the elite category while its Paralympic squad will be powered by nine cyclists. Eight athletes will also compete in the junior division.

The six-day event will be the second time Indonesia has hosted the championship. The last time it hosted was in 2008 in Tarakan, East Kalimantan.

Team Indonesia manager Budi Saputra said the Indonesian paracycling squad had a better opportunity of stealing the show as the competition would be less pressure with only four countries participating.

He added that paracyclist Muhammad Fadli had a chance to win a title as he had shown significant progress during his 2.5 months of preparation ahead of the championship.

Asian Para Games gold medalist Fadli said he was motivated to improve his performance as he wanted to qualify for the Tokyo Games, which is his main target.

Fadli said that with the tight competition to qualify for the Tokyo Games, he would strive to surpass his personal best at every opportunity, including the Jakarta stint.

The 34-year-old cyclist will compete in the men’s team 750-meter sprint and the individual 4,000 m pursuit.

Besides Fadli, Crismonita is also expected to reach the podium as she has performed well at three competitions since the 2018 Asian Games, said Budi.

During the Track Asia Cup 2018 in India in September, Crismonita was the fastest in the women’s 500 m time trial. Teamed up with Elga Kharisma in the women’s team sprint, Crismonita also won gold at the tournament.

In the upcoming championship, Budi expected Crismonita to stun her opponents in the women’s 500 m sprint and keirin races. However, she will also face strong competitors from Hong Kong, China and South Korea.

Unfortunately, injured Elga will not participate in the Jakarta championship as she will undergo surgery. In the team sprint, Crismonita will pair with Wiji Lestari. Both Elga and Wiji were originally BMX riders.

Asian Track Championship director Parama Nugroho said the number of participants had surpassed the organizers’ expectation of 255 cyclists — most likely because of the opportunity to collect Olympic points.

The organizers said they were ready to welcome the athletes, including by providing extra accommodation.

Popular

Kadin urges stability after Constitutional Court ruling

Jokowi says transition to new government to begi

BCA loan disbursement surges 17.1 percent yoy in first quarter