We’ll come back stronger in the Cyclothon next year, vow Hong Kong riders
The host riders all finish a lap behind a world-class field in Sunday’s 103km race but promise to do better in 2018 with better preparation
Hong Kong riders have promised to come back stronger after finishing one lap behind a world-class field in the UCI 1.1 class criterium race during Sunday’s Cyclothon.
None of the six Hong Kong riders could manage to clock an official finishing time in the 20-lap race because they finished too far back in the 103km Hong Kong Challenge raced along Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom.
In the end, Leung Ka-yu was the highest placed finish but he was still one lap behind the leaders in 31st position, while top local rider Leung Chun-wing could only place 55th in the 100-rider field.
Hong Kong riders were competing against world-class teams such as Orica-Scott and UAE Team Emirates and the gulf in class was evident in the race won by Matej Mohoric of Slovenia, who rides for team Emirates.
The former world junior road race champion successfully defended his Hong Kong title in a time of two hours 35.57 seconds. He was followed by Robbie Hucker of IsoWhey Sports of Australia.
Japan’s Yukiya Arashiro, who rides for world tour team Bahrain – Merida, came third. Arashiro is the first rider of his country to complete the Tour de France in 2009.
