Indonesian cyclists set to improve time

Indonesian cyclists set to improve time

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian cyclists being prepared for the 2002 Asian Games in
Busan, South Korea, have shown tremendous progress during their
three months of training and have almost reached their targets
with some five months still to go.

The Asiad is scheduled to take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14.

"The cyclists' speeds have equaled or even passed their own
records set last year in Kuala Lumpur when we dominated the
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games," cycling project manager Sofian
Ruzian said on Thursday.

"It is remarkable progress as they needed only three months
this time while it took six months of preparations last year (to
reach the targets)," he added.

Sofian was reporting on the cyclists' progress to Asian Games
project manager Rudolf S. Warouw ahead of the cyclists' departure
for the Asian Championships from May 2 until May 10 in Thailand.

"We still have a lot of work to do although we have dominated
the Southeast Asian region because this time our opponents are
stronger," he said.

"We have little information on our opponents' performances.
That's why the Asian Championships are very important for
monitoring their strengths and weaknesses.

Sofian was accompanied by coaches Endang Wahyudi, Wahyudi
Hidayat, Rony Yahya and Didik Sudiarto.

Also present were 14 cyclists who are going to participate in
the Asian Championships, namely Santia Tri Kusuma and Uyun
Muzizah in the women's division and men's cyclists Tonton
Susanto, Wawan Setyobudi, Suyitno, Suwandra, Kohar, Rochmat
Nugraha, Teguh Eko, Sama'i, Agus Yulianto, Nurrochman, Iwan
Kartiwan, and Dadang Haris.

Most of the cyclists said they were ready to improve their own
times and would try to take medals in the Thai event.

Warouw, who is also the secretary-general of the National
Sports Council (KONI), asked the cyclists to do their best with
the five months left.

"KONI will only send athletes who have the potential to win
medals at the Asiad. Therefore, it is up to you to always improve
your speeds," he said.

"We can no longer send athletes without any hope of winning
medals. You must work hard."