Indonesia cyclists set to do it without Tonton<\/p>\n
Hanoi
\nThe Jakarta Post<\/p>\n
The Indonesian cycling team is looking to overcome Tonton
\nSusanto's hangover when it sets out for its medal hunt at the SEA
\nGames on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Tonton, Indonesia's number one road racing cyclist, has
\nskipped the tournament, saying he did not get on well with
\ncertain team officials.<\/p>\n
His presence in the team would likely have boosted the team's
\nmedal prospects, but team manager Sofyan Ruzian said that he
\nwould not let himself be drawn into speculating.<\/p>\n
"Even if he were here his chances would still be fifty-fifty
\nagainst his rivals," Sofyan told The Jakarta Post here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Tonton, who handed the team one of its three golds in the last
\nSEA Games, is one of the best riders, not only in the region but
\nalso in Asia. His cycling prowess lured Telkom Malaysia into
\ncontracting him before he was released to the Surabaya-based
\nWismilak Team.<\/p>\n
He was shaping up well in the run-up to the SEA Games when he
\nwon the Thailand Tour in September. He defeated Prajak Mahawong
\nof Thailand and Sahrlneeza Razali of Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Sofyan said that even without Tonton the team would still be
\nlooking to the race for four of ten gold medals on offer, to be
\ndistributed between the Criterium, International Time Trial, Mass
\nStart and Mountain Bike (MTB).<\/p>\n
"We have not changed the target. We are still confident about
\nour prospects," he said.<\/p>\n
Arriving on Nov. 28 with 20 riders, the Indonesian team,
\naccording to Sofyan, is banking its medal hopes on the Criterium,
\nwomen's Mass Start and MTB.<\/p>\n
The Criterium event will be held at Hoan Kiem Lake in the
\ncenter of the city, the Mass Start and ITT in Bac Ninh province
\nand the MTB at Hoa Binh province.<\/p>\n
"We have come here early to acclimatize ourselves to the
\nweather, and the riders are in good shape for the match," Sofyan
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Malaysian team rued Tonton's absence, with team
\nmanager Amrun Misnoh saying that its competitiveness would reduce
\nsomewhat.<\/p>\n
He admitted to Sahrulneeza Razali's improved prospects in the
\nabsence of Tonton.<\/p>\n
"I heard that Tonton is not around. It's too good to miss the
\ncompetition without Tonton," he told the Post during a flight
\nbetween Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
"Prajak is probably the toughest opponent to beat," he said.<\/p>\n
The Malaysian team brings Razali, Musairi Musa, Suhadi Hassan,
\nSayuti Zhidi and Mahadir Mahadi, all of whom were teamed up in
\ntheir victory in the Tour de ISSI in Java in August. Norazian
\nAlias is the team's only female rider in the SEA Games.<\/p>",
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