Indonesian cyclists romp home with 1st two golds

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia set off on the right track in the 19th SEA Games by claiming the first two golds in cycling.

Tonton Susanto sped to victory in the men's cycling 40km Individual Time Trial (ITT) in 54:26.40 on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road.

Following him were Victor Espiritu of the Philippines (55:13.62) and Sharulneeza Razali of Malaysia (55:53.42).

The Indonesian, who turned 24 on Sept. 24, had led the race from the first lap in a time of 23:02.57.

"I was racing in my own country, and that motivated me," he said.

This was Susanto's first SEA Games gold in the ITT 40km. He won a gold and two silvers in the 18th SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 1995.

A Japanese referee, Tatsuo Hayashi, said Susanto's performance was very impressive.

"His average speed of 44.08 km per hour is very good," he said.

Fifteen cyclists from eight nations participated. Cambodia and Laos did not enter.

Susanto's feat was matched by countrywoman Nurhayati, who crossed the finish line first in the ITT 20km.

Timed at 30:02.82, she edged compatriot Tuti Suhesti (30:13.23). Tien Tran Thi Thuy of Vietnam (30:34.10) took the bronze.

This was the first gold of Nurhayati's target of five in these Games.

At the 18th SEA Games, Nurhayati had lost to Thai rival, Chaleam Chamchun, in the same event. The 27-year-old Yogyakarta resident still returned from Chiang Mai with two silvers.

Bounnoua Bounsouhak of Laos, who withdrew due to injury, was the only no-show from the 11 participants. There were no entrants from Cambodia, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia.

The host cycling team has targeted 10 golds from the 16 at stake.

Young and old lined the race route to cheer on the cyclists. Conspicuous among the sea of red-and-white Indonesian flags were ones from Vietnam, handed out by members of that country's delegation.

The toll road was closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. yesterday for the races.

A deputy from the event's organizing committee, Mochammad Hindarto, said he was satisfied with the handling of the events and the public's response.

"I am really grateful that the event has run smoothly. We have won international recognition and acceptance from the Asian Cycling Federation for our standards.

I don't care if there may be a complaint from the local federation."

He said the public support, both from the spectators and motorists who patiently lined up waiting for the toll road to be reopened, was overwhelming.

"I just received a report that the line reached up to three kilometers. The two golds won today are the result of the public support," he said.

A toll road attendant said that between 1,000 and 1,700 vehicles passed the Cikampek-Jakarta toll road on weekends from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Up for grabs in cycling today is the men's 1,000-meter time trial at the velodrome in Rawamangun, East Jakarta. Qualification events are also being held in the men's sprint, individual pursuit, team pursuit, and women's sprint. (icn)