Track cyclist Leung Ka-yu wins first medal for Hong Kong at National Games after finishing third in omnium
Leung finishes just five points behind champion from Beijing and national team in closely contested race
Sarah Lee and two madison teams to take to the track for more medals on Tuesday for Hong Kong
Track cyclist Leung Ka-yu won the first medal for Hong Kong at the 14th National Games after finishing third in the men’s omnium, an event which won by Hong Kong in Tianjin four years ago.
Replacing compatriot and the defending champion Leung Chun-wing, Leung finished the gruelling four-discipline event which was completed in one day with 123 points. In fact, the three medallists finished very closely together, with silver medallist Jiang Zhihui of Liaoning, scoring 127 while the gold medal went to Beijing’s Xue Chaohua, a member of the China national team, on 128 points.
“Omnium is a very tough event as the riders need to finish all four disciplines in a short space of time and getting a medal is already a great result,” said Cycling Association chairman Leung Hung-tak. “This is a good start for the cycling team and the Hong Kong delegation as well. We look forward to achieving more good results.”
Leung is due to start in the men’s madison on Monday and is considered a medal hopeful for Hong Kong with partner Leung Chun-wing, but a crash in the last discipline of the omnium may affect his performance.
With more than five riders in contention for a medal before the 25-km points race – the last discipline – a crash occurred with seven laps remaining. Leung managed to return to the track and resume two laps later despite suffering a right leg injury. He eventually crossed the finish in second place.
