RI's mountainbikers eye top Asian spot

RI's mountainbikers eye top Asian spot

JAKARTA (JP): National mountainbikers are expected to be among
the top five Asian winners in the 6th Asian Mountainbike
Championships held at Khaoyai Rimthan resort in Nakhon Rachasina,
Thailand, from April 19 to April 23, deputy secretary-general of
the Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) Sofian Ruzian said on
Monday.

He said the Indonesian squad includes 1999 Southeast Asian
(SEA) Games gold medalists Rissa Suseanty and Ferry Sonic, and
silver medalist Sugianto (Gimo). Ferry's brother Harley Sonic and
Ferinanto, also competitors in the Games, will also be on the
squad.

He said three other mountainbikers from West and East Java
would be invited.

"Their transportation fees and a daily allowance of US$20 per
person for board and lodging in Thailand will be sponsored by
their provinces," he said, adding that Rissa, Ferry and Harley
were from West Java while Ferinanto and Gimo were East Javanese.

In the 1998 championships in Beijing, Rissa finished fifth in
the women's downhill and seventh in the cross-country event while
Ferry was 11th in the men's cross country. Another biker,
Sugianto Setiawan, came fourth in the men's downhill event.(ivy)