Ceci Lee Sze-wing has delivered a timely reminder of her potential to become Hong Kong’s National Games poster girl, as the city began its 100-day countdown to co-hosting the showpiece.
The cyclist claimed a notable victory in a criterium race on Saturday in Brisbane, where the Hong Kong team are holding a month-long training camp. And on Sunday, Lee, 24, was second behind teammate Chloe Leung Wing-yee in a nip-and-tuck road race.
Although Lee is desperately keen to take omnium gold in her hometown in November, she has been busily refining her road skills under endurance coach Ben Kersten. Not that she lacks pedigree for it: in 2021, Lee stunned a high-class field to become Hong Kong’s first National Games road race champion at the age of 20.
“I’m learning more about how to find a good position for the final sprint, but also how my teammates can help me do that,” Lee said.
“The best teams form a good chain for a lead-out, and we’re working on it a lot for the National Games. The course will be nearly all flat, so it’s very likely to be a bunch sprint at the end.”
Vincent Lau (left) aims champagne at road race winner Rayann Lacheny and third-placed Australian Ben Carman. Photo: Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China
Kersten had an immediate impact following his appointment in March, when the Australian led a female Hong Kong quartet including Lee and Leung to Tour of Thailand success.