Hong Kong cyclists told to ‘take more risks’ at UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup, with spots at Paris Olympics on line
- Head coach Herve Dagorne urges riders to grasp moment when city stages the second leg of the world-class competition next month
- Home contingent will be led by double Asian Games silver-medallist Ceci Lee Sze-wing
Acting head coach Herve Dagorne has urged Hong Kong’s cyclists to be bold and brash when the city hosts the second leg of the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup next month.
Frenchman Dagorne, a former Olympic rider and ex-head coach of his nation’s track endurance team, is plugging the gap left by the departure of Shen Jinkang in December after nearly 30 years in charge.
The cup features the world’s major cycling countries, and is contested annually over three events. Adelaide staged the opening leg of the 2024 competition this month, and it will finish in Milton, Canada, in April.
The Hong Kong leg will be contested over three days from March 15, at the velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. The city’s best finishes in Australia belonged to the men’s and women’s sprint teams, who both came 10th.
Star rider Ceci Lee Sze-wing, who won two silver medals at last year’s Asian Games, and is targeting qualification for this year’s Paris Olympics, was 12th in the omnium, and joined Leung Wing-yee to finish 13th in the Madison race.
“The riders are all very motivated to race here, and with them being at home I want them to dream bigger,” Dagorne said. “I want them to do well, not only for the public who will be supporting them, but because I think they, sometimes, limit themselves.
