Indonesian riders expected to keep ahead of the pack

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