Hong Kong cyclists told to ‘take more risks’ at UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup, with spots at Paris Olympics on line
- Head coach Herve Dagorne urges riders to grasp moment when city stages the second leg of the world-class competition next month
- Home contingent will be led by double Asian Games silver-medallist Ceci Lee Sze-wing
Acting head coach Herve Dagorne has urged Hong Kong’s cyclists to be bold and brash when the city hosts the second leg of the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup next month.
Frenchman Dagorne, a former Olympic rider and ex-head coach of his nation’s track endurance team, is plugging the gap left by the departure of Shen Jinkang in December after nearly 30 years in charge.
The cup features the world’s major cycling countries, and is contested annually over three events. Adelaide staged the opening leg of the 2024 competition this month, and it will finish in Milton, Canada, in April.
The Hong Kong leg will be contested over three days from March 15, at the velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. The city’s best finishes in Australia belonged to the men’s and women’s sprint teams, who both came 10th.
Star rider Ceci Lee Sze-wing, who won two silver medals at last year’s Asian Games, and is targeting qualification for this year’s Paris Olympics, was 12th in the omnium, and joined Leung Wing-yee to finish 13th in the Madison race.
“The riders are all very motivated to race here, and with them being at home I want them to dream bigger,” Dagorne said. “I want them to do well, not only for the public who will be supporting them, but because I think they, sometimes, limit themselves.
“They can be shy, and not race [a global event] how they would in an Asian competition.
“Technically, I think they will take more risks. Winning medals will be hard, because the competition is world class, but they can push themselves more. I do not want them stressed about what will happen, just to fight and give their best. I hope we see them improving and giving more, and I expect this event to be really special.”
Tickets costing between HK$50 and HK$200, with concessions from HK$30 to HK$100, will go on sale via URBTIX on February 15.
And most of the home hopes will rest on Lee, who has been racing against male riders as part of a team training camp in Australia.
Dagorne wants the 22-year-old to transfer the champion mindset that saw her frustrated over her double Asiad silver to global racing.
And he insists Lee has the talent to achieve her Olympic goal, with the last Paris qualifying points available in the closing two legs of the track competition.
Lee said competing in front of a home audience next month would be “a bit stressful”, but added that the support would ensure fatigue was not a problem.
“I will be super excited to have all the Hong Kong supporters giving us the best atmosphere to perform,” Lee said.
“When you have this excitement, you will never feel tired. There will be many people coming to support us, and so many family and friends watching, which will feel a bit stressful for me. But I will turn that stress into my motivation.
“I want to deliver a personal best, and my best omnium finish is seventh, so I want to improve on that.”
