Riders chalks up double win in cycling

Riders chalks up double win in cycling

The Jakarta Post, Hanoi

Indonesia's cyclists raced to double victory in the Criterium
competition at Hoan Kim Lake in the center of Hanoi on Saturday.

Santia Tri Kusuma and Uyun Muzizah made it a one-two victory
in the women's 30.6 kilometers, leaving Monrudee Chapookam of
Thailand in third for bronze.

Later, Ferinanto completed the celebration with a convincing
performance in which he beat Thai Youthaporn Hinthao and Filipino
Alfie Catatan.

Team manager Sofyan Ruzian said Ferinanto deserved the honor
given that the 25-year-old rider had better endurance and sprint
skills.

"He has improved after being groomed for three months. Good
endurance and sprint definitely count in the race," he told The
Jakarta Post.

However, Sofyan said a 15-point victory had not been
anticipated. Ferinanto led the fray from start to finish to score
31 points in 30 laps against Hinthao's 16.

Catatan was a point behind the silver medalist.

"We had expected tougher competition than appeared today. I
know Youthaporn had a training workout in Switzerland. He beat
Tonton (Susanto) in the ITT (International Time Trial) in
Thailand weeks before the SEA Games," he said.

Tonton is Indonesia's number one rider, and is absent from the
current SEA Games.

The women's race was tougher. Santia and Uyun found themselves
trailing behind Chapookam and Vo Thi Phuong Phi of Vietnam in the
ninth of 18 laps.

"But they strived hard and managed to take the lead in the
charge at the end," Sofyan said. Santia scored 15 points, Uyun 12
and Chapookam 11.

Uyun, along with Dahlina Rosydia, will be back to race in the
30-kilometer Individual Time Trial, while Rochmat Nugraha and
Amin Suryana will be the team's male contenders.