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)