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."