Jakarta to hold cycling race

Jakarta to hold cycling race

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Sport
Cycling Association (ISSI) will celebrate the year end with a
cycling track race at the Rawamangun velodrome on Sunday.

Committee spokesman Susanto Wijaya said yesterday the
competition was aimed at reintroducing the race, which has long
been absent from the country. Sunday's race will be the first of
five scheduled legs throughout Java.

"The country has eight velodromes but they do not function at
all," Susanto said. National top cyclists from West Java, Central
Java, Yogyakarta and East Java are among the 100 riders who have
all confirmed their entry. They will be vying for a total cash
prize of Rp 2.8 million (US$1,280).

Susanto added that the race will also serve as a ground for
talent scouts. The cycling association, he said, is worried about
the lack of track specialists. (amd)