Cyclist Tonton frustated with silver achievement<\/p>\n
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia's Tonton Susanto's
\ncomeback dreams were dashed on Sunday after finishing second in
\nthe men's 41-kilometers Individual Time Trial (ITT) in Muara
\nTutong Highways, about 20 kilometers north of here.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old cyclist clocked 56 minutes 25.54 seconds, well
\nbehind Malaysia's Shahrulneeza Razali's time of 55:37.51. The win
\ngave Malaysia its first gold. Defending champion Victor Espiritu
\nof the Philippines was third in a time of 56:32.88.<\/p>\n
It was Tonton's second letdown in the ITT. In the last games,
\nheld in Jakarta two years ago, he was stripped of his gold medal
\nafter failing a drug test. He was banned from competing for a
\nyear by the International Cycling Union, the world cycling
\ngoverning body.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sorry to all Indonesian people because I can't contribute
\na gold today. But I promise to win the road race event,\" he said
\nafter the medal presentation ceremony.<\/p>\n
Razali, who won the silver two years ago, said beating pre-
\nrace favorite Tonton had been his number one goal.<\/p>\n
\"I am very happy because I have fulfilled my personal target
\nof winning a gold in this year's SEA Games. I intensified my
\ntraining for the Games and I proved that practice makes perfect,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Razali said he began his Games preparation in January and
\nwarmed up in a race in Azerbaijan and in the 1999 Tour of
\nLangkawi. He was a member of the host team, which was crowned the
\nbest in Asia in this year's Tour, beating rivals from 30
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old cyclist said the victory had encouraged him to
\ncontinue his career in the sport.<\/p>\n
\"I will continue cycling as long as I can. I might be
\nperforming in several competitions in New Zealand and Syria after
\nthe SEA Games.\"<\/p>\n
Tonton said he was trying to overtake Razali when he fell 12
\nseconds behind the Malaysian. He said the sweltering heat foiled
\nhis attempt.<\/p>\n
\"I should have been able to pass him, but pedaling the bike
\nbecame more difficult than before.\"<\/p>\n
Tonton, however, said he had received some satisfaction from
\nhis performance, citing his lack of preparation for the race and
\nthe absence of an overseas training stint.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Cycling Association's training director Sofian
\nRuzian said Razali's success was a surprise.<\/p>\n
\"Pre-SEA Games, he only finished in about 57 minutes. I am
\nsurprised he made it faster than Tonton today. Anyway, Razali has
\nproven he is the best,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo
\nArismunandar, who watched the race near the finish line at the
\nBukit Shahbandar recreational forest, said he was not
\ndisappointed with Tonton's achievement.<\/p>\n
\"It was the best he could do. The Malaysian cyclist proved he
\nwas better than Tonton,\" he said.<\/p>\n
State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Agung Laksono was
\nseen accompanying Wismoyo. The two top national sports figures
\ntoured venues where Indonesians competed on the first day of the
\nSEA Games medal race.<\/p>\n
Tonton will have a chance to make amends for his loss in the
\nmen's 160-kilometer open road race on Aug. 14. Indonesia will
\nalso field Mohammad Basri, Goang Sulistiyono, Suwandra, Wawan
\nSetiabudi, Heriyanto Setiawan and substitute Henry Setiawan.
\n(ivy)<\/p>",
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