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)