Road cycling could turn into a farce at 2019 SEA Games

PETALING JAYA: The Philippines SEA Games cycling competition could turn out to be a mockery despite being an Olympic sport.

Track cycling events have been ruled out and now the organisers are adamant that each country is limited to two cyclists for the road race event.

Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Abu Samah Wahab, who has been appointed as the technical delegate for the SEA Games cycling competitions, said the organisers also refused to include the men’s team road race event to minimise the costs.

“At the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, a country can enter four riders.

“It is the norm at the international meets but for SEA Games next year, they have only allowed two from each country,” said Abu Samah.

“If this is the case, then we are going to have only 20 cyclists if we have 10 countries taking part in the race.”

Malaysia are set to lose 11 golds before the start of the SEA Games with the absence of track cycling.

The organisers refused to refurbish the existing track – last used when the Philippines hosted the Games in 2005 – saying the cost of renovation is beyond their budget.

Malaysia made a clean sweep of all 11 gold medals when track cycling took place at the National Velodrome in Nilai during the 2017 SEA Games.