Sugianto goes downhill for first cycling gold

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Cebu City

Sugianto "Hoho" Setyawan raced to the country's first gold in cycling with a win in the men's downhill race on Monday at Ramon M. Durano Sports Complex in Danao City here.

Risa Suseanty, who was slowed by a hip injury in the elimination rounds, was still able to get a bronze in the women's downhill in a time of three hours, 22 minutes and 41 seconds.

Hoho, who won with a time of 2:36.14, now has three titles this year, with other wins in Malang, East Java, and Bali.

The route isn't really a downhill race because many sections are flat. However, I'm very glad to have won SEA Games," he said.

Joel U. Barba of the Philippines (2:38.26) and compatriot Michael P. Borja (2:42.65) took the silver and bronze.

Another Indonesian, Priyo Susanto, was in with a medal chance when he fell.

"It was unfortunate for Priyo because we expected him to win a medal," Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) secretary-general Sofyan Ruzian said. "But we're glad Hoho could win the gold."

In the women's downhill, Vietnamese Trang Phan Thi Thuy grabbed the gold in 3:08.30, followed by Thai Sattayanun Abdul Karee with 3:19.35.

On Tuesday, two golds are offered in the men's and women's cross country division with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expected to watch the race.

Sofyan said that Indonesia had a 50:50 chance of triumphing.

The ISSI has set a target for five gold from the Games.