Hong Kong cycling chiefs have revealed the riders they have charged with living up to the city’s proud National Games history.
With 23 medals since Hong Kong began competing in 1997, cycling is the city’s most successful Games sport. Wong Kam-po, who claimed five Games medals, won road race gold for Hong Kong’s only prize on their Shanghai debut 28 years ago.
At the 2021 edition in Shaanxi, cycling accounted for four of Hong Kong’s seven medals. One of those was individual road race gold for Ceci Lee Sze-wing, a dark horse back then but unquestionably the poster girl of the squad announced by the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China (CAHKC) on Friday.
Currently in Perth for the team’s pre-Games camp, Lee will lead the Hong Kong charge from the outset. Despite Herve Dagorne, the head coach, saying he did “not want to put all my eggs in one basket”, getting the 24-year-old across the line first is likely to be the goal for the road race on November 9, the Games’ official start date. The flat Zhuhai course should suit Lee’s small and powerful frame.
Herve Dagorne briefs Ceci Lee during training at Hong Kong Velodrome. Photo: Jonathan WongHer five road teammates include reigning Asian Games road race champion Yang Qianyu and Chloe Leung Wing-yee, who has been attracting attention from elite trade teams after a pair of fine performances at last month’s UCI Road World Championships.