RI cyclists set to take part at World Cup series<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) plans to send its
\nmountain bike (MTB) cyclists to the World Cup series, especially
\nthose taking place in the Asia Pacific region.<\/p>\n
\"ISSI wants to improve the cyclists' level of competition by
\ntaking part in more world contests. We have had good results in
\nthe Southeast Asian region,\" ISSI official Budi Aryanto said on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
\"Now we must step forward to gain a higher level of
\nachievement at the Asian and world levels,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Resa Suseanty won the women's downhill gold medal at the Kuala
\nLumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last month. Setiawan
\nSugianto also won the gold medal at the men's event.<\/p>\n
Setiawan also holds the men's Asian title. He will defend his
\ntitle at the Asian Championships, which will take place in Pusan,
\nSouth Korea on Saturday and Sunday. Also taking part are Resa,
\nFerry Sonic and Benny Setiawan.<\/p>\n
\"The problem is ISSI doesn't have enough funds to send them
\nabroad to take part in the series so we must find sponsorships.
\nEspecially because the World Cup series takes place in 10
\ncountries,\" said Budi.<\/p>\n
\"But as there are two series taking place in Australia and
\nJapan, we may send cyclists at least to Australia.\"<\/p>\n
Budi said Indonesian cyclists were not ready yet to have
\nprofessional ties with sponsors because they were not able to
\nindependently manage their schedule.<\/p>\n
He warned that Indonesia might face a downturn in achievements
\nin the track events during the next three years following the
\nlack of tournaments available.<\/p>\n
\"The Hanoi 2003 SEA Games and Palembang 2004 National Games
\n(PON) will not host track events as both cities do not have
\nvelodromes,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The only events we can test their abilities at are the annual
\nAsian championships. These events, however, are not enough to
\nkeep up our cyclists' performance.\"<\/p>\n
\"The cyclists' motivation will sink if they don't have the
\nchance to show progress,\" he continued.<\/p>\n
Indonesian SEA Games cyclists grabbed 11 gold medals out of
\nthe 20 cycling events. The other nine gold medals were presented
\nto track cyclists.<\/p>",
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