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