Indonesian riders expected to keep ahead of the pack<\/p>\n
By Ivy Susanti and Sri Wahyuni<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cyclists are vowing to retain their
\nregional supremacy by grabbing four of seven golds at stake in
\nthe 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite financial problems
\nwhich prevented local and overseas tryouts.<\/p>\n
The country, which won 13 of 16 golds at the 1997 Games here,
\nis now grooming 17 cyclists to compete in three road race events
\n-- the 40-kilometer individual time trial (ITT), 160km open road
\nrace and 50km criterium -- and the four mountain bike events of
\nthe men's and women's downhill and men's and women's cross-
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Most national squad members competed in the last biennial
\nevent. Newcomers are Goang Sulistiyono, Wawan Setiabudi, Beny
\nSetiawan, Indah and Shantia.<\/p>\n
Training director Sofian Ruzian said that two golds were
\nexpected from 1997 SEA Games gold medalist Tonton Susanto (he was
\nsubsequently disqualified) in the 40km ITT and the 50km criterium
\nteam. Another two golds are likely from Fery Sonic in the men's
\ncross-country and Rissa Suseanty in the women's downhill. Rookie
\nGoang also is expected to perform well in the 40km ITT.<\/p>\n
"Our cyclists have a chance to win the criterium event, but
\nthere are some external factors which could give us problems,
\nsuch as flat tires," Sofian said.<\/p>\n
Tonton is not only after medals, but also to repair his
\ntarnished reputation. He was banned for one year and stripped of
\nhis gold medal after testing positive for using banned substances
\nin the 1997 Games.<\/p>\n
Sofian said the Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) could
\nnot set too high a target because the Games organizers were not
\nfeaturing the country's favorite events, including the women's
\nroad race.<\/p>\n
Tough competition will come from the Philippines in the road
\nrace events and Thailand and Malaysia in the mountain bike events
\nat the Games, which will be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.<\/p>\n
Sofian said that Filipino Viktoris Esprita, the 1998 Asian
\nGames bronze medalist in the road race, would pose a tough
\nchallenge for Indonesian cyclists.<\/p>\n
He also said that Thai mountain bikers, who won the 1998 Asian
\nGames silver medal, trained in Australia as part of their
\npreparation for the Games.<\/p>\n
Sofian said Malaysia's strength was unpredictable but its
\ncyclists regularly participated in domestic championships.<\/p>\n
The road racers are practicing in Yogyakarta and the mountain
\nbikers in Jayagiri area in Bandung. Budget constraints have
\nprevented the cyclists from taking part in warm-ups of domestic
\nand overseas races.<\/p>\n
ISSI's Yogyakarta chapter chairman Robby Kusumaharta expressed
\noptimism that the road racers could meet the target of two golds.
\n"The target is realistic and the cyclists have high motivation."<\/p>\n
Based on his observation, Robby said there was no need for the
\ncyclists to hold tryouts. "We have no enough time and money."<\/p>\n
ISSI has less reason to worry about the preparation of its two
\nmountain bikers, Fery and Rissa, because they competed in
\ntournaments in Malaysia early this year. Fery won the 1997 SEA
\nGames cross-country gold medal while Rissa earned the 1997 SEA
\nGames downhill gold. Both cyclists are under contract to cycling
\nmanufacturer Cannondale in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
The association earlier complained about fund shortages for
\nequipment. It sought sponsors and contributions from the National
\nSports Council (KONI).<\/p>\n
Cycling team lineup<\/p>\n
Road race events: 40km ITT: Tonton Susanto, Goang Sulistiyono,
\nMoh. Basri (substitute)<\/p>\n
160km open road race: Tonton Susanto, Moh. Basri, Goang
\nSulistiyono, Suwandra, Wawan Setiabudi, Heriyanto Setiawan and
\nHenry Setiawan (substitute)<\/p>\n
50km criterium: Henry Setiawan, Hengky Setiawan, Heriyanto
\nSetiawan and Wawan Setiabudi (substitute)<\/p>\n
Mountain bike events: Men's cross country\/downhill: Fery Sonic,
\nBeny Setiawan, Sugianto Setiawan, Sugianto, Ferinanto and Zainul
\nSiswanto<\/p>\n
Women's cross country\/downhill: Rissa Suseanty, Indah Yuliatin
\nand Shantia Tri Kusuma<\/p>",
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