Paris Olympics: Ceci Lee inspired by Vivian Kong’s Hong Kong spirit in ‘hardest’ road race
- Hongkonger Lee came home 64th out of 78 finishers. The up-and-down 158-kilometres Paris course got the better of another 14 riders
Ceci Lee Sze-wing learned from the mental fortitude shown by fellow Hongkonger Vivian Kong Man-wai when she won a dramatic fencing gold, to achieve her goal in the women’s Olympic road race on Sunday.
Hongkonger Lee came home 64th out of 78 finishers. The up-and-down 158-kilometres Paris course got the better of another 14 riders, including Xin Tang of China, who did not reach the end. Kristen Faulkner of the United States surged clear of a four-woman breakaway in the closing three kilometres to claim gold. The Netherlands’ Marianne Vos, the 2012 Olympic champion, was second, with Lotte Kopecky of Belgium completing the podium.
Lee, who will switch to the track for next Sunday’s omnium event, overcame hunger, fear and a lot of “suffering” to finish the “hardest” competition of her life which she complete in four hours, 10 minutes and 47 seconds.
A cyclist who has consistently battled self-doubt, Lee kept turning the pedals despite being on her limit as she fought to avoid being dropped on a number of climbs. Lee’s challenge was complicated by the Hong Kong support car being unable to deliver food amid congested race traffic.
