Lee Sze-wing tipped to lead Hong Kong women’s cycling squad for Asian Games after bagging third gold at track cup
- Lee claims second ominum title at Hong Kong International Track Cup and is expected to compete in both road and track cycling in Hangzhou
- 22-year-old ready to challenge herself at next level after securing 3 golds, 1 silver and a bronze over the three days of competition
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Lee Sze-wing claimed her third gold medal in as many days at the Hong Kong International Track Cup, winning her second women’s omnium title in the process on Sunday.
As she had been two days previously, Lee dominated the event from start to finish at the city’s velodrome in Tseung Kwan O.
The 22-year-old just beat out her main rival, Song Min-ji of Korea, in the scratch, tempo and elimination races, before pulling away in the points race to finish with 157 points, 26 ahead of Song. Indonesian rider Ayustina Delia Priatna was third.
“I am satisfied with the overall results,” said Lee, who also took bronze in women’s scratch. “For us to lose at the Madison on the opening day, but to claim it back on Saturday with altered tactics meant so much more, it pointed out the difference with our rivals, and we know where we have to improve.”
Ahead of a busy schedule next month, Shen Jinkang, the Hong Kong head coach, also said his squad for the Asian Games would be finalised in early July and hinted Lee would be the main rider, as the team focused on the longer disciplines.
“The International Track Cup is important because this is also a selection process, we’d like to see what the potential problems are for our athletes and formulate the pre-Games training,” he said.
And while Lee is expected to spearhead the women’s squad, indoors and on the road, Shen the young star still had plenty of room for improvement.
“We expect her to be the sprinter in road race, while in track cycling, Lee is a good rider as she has stamina and is a great sprinter,” Shen said. “But she’s still some way off [Japan’s] Yumi Kajihara, who took omnium silver at Tokyo Olympics.
“We shall see how she fares against the best riders in the region at the Asian Championship and we will work in the next few months to address her problems.”
After amassing three golds, one silver and one bronze over the course of the event, Lee said she was grateful for the confidence Shen had in her.
“There is always pressure but it’s also a motivation, and to have the confidence of your coach is really important,” she said. “I know where my shortcomings are and I am aiming for improvement over the next few months, hopefully I can deliver at the Asian Games.
“At 22, it is like the golden age for athletes, I’d like to challenge myself for more given that my condition is rising lately. I certainly do not want to wait another three years because no one knows what is going to happen, so I want to take this opportunity and do my best.”
The Hong Kong team, including the likes of Lee, Leung Bo-yee, and Leung Wing-yee, will next head to Hangzhou for the National Track Championship, which is doubling up as a test event for the Asian Games this September.
They will also race at the Asian Road Cycling Championship in Thailand between June 7 and 13, and at the Asian Track Championships in Nilai, Malaysia, from June 14 to 19.
