Indonesian riders expected to keep ahead of the pack
By Ivy Susanti and Sri Wahyuni
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cyclists are vowing to retain their regional supremacy by grabbing four of seven golds at stake in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite financial problems which prevented local and overseas tryouts.
The country, which won 13 of 16 golds at the 1997 Games here, is now grooming 17 cyclists to compete in three road race events -- the 40-kilometer individual time trial (ITT), 160km open road race and 50km criterium -- and the four mountain bike events of the men's and women's downhill and men's and women's cross- country.
Most national squad members competed in the last biennial event. Newcomers are Goang Sulistiyono, Wawan Setiabudi, Beny Setiawan, Indah and Shantia.
Training director Sofian Ruzian said that two golds were expected from 1997 SEA Games gold medalist Tonton Susanto (he was subsequently disqualified) in the 40km ITT and the 50km criterium team. Another two golds are likely from Fery Sonic in the men's cross-country and Rissa Suseanty in the women's downhill. Rookie Goang also is expected to perform well in the 40km ITT.
"Our cyclists have a chance to win the criterium event, but there are some external factors which could give us problems, such as flat tires," Sofian said.
Tonton is not only after medals, but also to repair his tarnished reputation. He was banned for one year and stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for using banned substances in the 1997 Games.
Sofian said the Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) could not set too high a target because the Games organizers were not featuring the country's favorite events, including the women's road race.
Tough competition will come from the Philippines in the road race events and Thailand and Malaysia in the mountain bike events at the Games, which will be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
Sofian said that Filipino Viktoris Esprita, the 1998 Asian Games bronze medalist in the road race, would pose a tough challenge for Indonesian cyclists.
He also said that Thai mountain bikers, who won the 1998 Asian Games silver medal, trained in Australia as part of their preparation for the Games.
Sofian said Malaysia's strength was unpredictable but its cyclists regularly participated in domestic championships.
The road racers are practicing in Yogyakarta and the mountain bikers in Jayagiri area in Bandung. Budget constraints have prevented the cyclists from taking part in warm-ups of domestic and overseas races.
ISSI's Yogyakarta chapter chairman Robby Kusumaharta expressed optimism that the road racers could meet the target of two golds. "The target is realistic and the cyclists have high motivation."
Based on his observation, Robby said there was no need for the cyclists to hold tryouts. "We have no enough time and money."
ISSI has less reason to worry about the preparation of its two mountain bikers, Fery and Rissa, because they competed in tournaments in Malaysia early this year. Fery won the 1997 SEA Games cross-country gold medal while Rissa earned the 1997 SEA Games downhill gold. Both cyclists are under contract to cycling manufacturer Cannondale in Malaysia.
The association earlier complained about fund shortages for equipment. It sought sponsors and contributions from the National Sports Council (KONI).
Cycling team lineup
Road race events: 40km ITT: Tonton Susanto, Goang Sulistiyono, Moh. Basri (substitute)
160km open road race: Tonton Susanto, Moh. Basri, Goang Sulistiyono, Suwandra, Wawan Setiabudi, Heriyanto Setiawan and Henry Setiawan (substitute)
50km criterium: Henry Setiawan, Hengky Setiawan, Heriyanto Setiawan and Wawan Setiabudi (substitute)
Mountain bike events: Men's cross country/downhill: Fery Sonic, Beny Setiawan, Sugianto Setiawan, Sugianto, Ferinanto and Zainul Siswanto
Women's cross country/downhill: Rissa Suseanty, Indah Yuliatin and Shantia Tri Kusuma