TCA is ready to hold Thailand Track Championships if the government relaxes measures. Only individual events will be organized. “Seth Muek” puts strict rules to screen people into the Velodrome.

Thai Cycling Association (TCA), under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, is ready to kick off Thailand Track Championships  in June if the government eases the strict measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. This is from the disclosure of General Decha Hemkasri, President of the TCA that we choose to organize individual events only with the least risk.  We will put strict rules for screening and numbering of riders, as spectators must keep a distance by sitting in a vacant chair. For road, mountain bike and BMX races, we will look at the situation in each moment. For the bike for life, “Sport Tourism Bike for All” and “flat mountain bike”, the project must be slowed down first.

 General Decha said that the COVID-19 epidemic had a profound effect on all sports, and sports were unable to compete even though the government had already relaxed their policies by allowing to play outdoor sports and individual sports consisting of golf, shooting, archery, and cycling. However, public health measures must also be followed strictly according to the Center of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and Department of Health.

General Decha said that in the part of the TCA, the annual competition schedule has been modified thoughout, considering the current situation, I myself am very worried because I want riders to compete. But firstly we must look at the next steps of the government. If the government announces further easing, the TCA is ready to launch the Queen Sirikit’s Cup Thailand Track Championchips  2020 in June. The first round will start on June 13-14 and second one is on June 27-28 at the velodrome Huamak, Bangkok due to the smallest risk. The events will be focused on individual races. There are not many competitors and there is no risk of danger or accident.

General Decha also said that for measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19,  The TCA sets strict rules for riders to be screened before entering the Velodrome. Each club must inform the exact number and names of riders sent to the TCA before opening the door for one-way entrance. Everyone must wear their masks except when practicing and competing. Temperature must be checked before entering the Velodrome. There are alcohol gel washing hands at various points. As for the audience, there must be screening as well, and the number is limited to a minimum, including the seating on the stands to have a space to sit, and the chair must leave 1 space. The TCA will put a red cross mark on it. In terms of ceremonies, such as opening ceremonies, there are minimal steps or no steps at all.

General Decha went on to say that as the “King Bhumibol’s Cup Thailand Road Championship and the King's Cup  Thailand Mountain Bike Championships 2020 had competed in 2 rounds in Chiang Rai Province and Chanthaburi Province with no the competition in Trat province. However, the remaining two rounds are at Thong Phaphum district, Kanchanaburi province and in Ranong province. However, the TCA must wait and see the situation of the epidemic of the COVID-19, including the measures of the government and the host province first, how strict it is because there is a journey across the province. If the competition is able to be organized, the TCA will choose to organize events that are less risky, namely Road Races “Individual Time Trials.” For the format of the competition, rider will be released one by one, likewise the mountain bike “Downhill”, rider will be released one by one. While the cross-country race will change to the race like an Eliminator that was released 4 persons per sets.

“General Decha” added that Princess Mah Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup Thailand BMX Racing Championships 2020 is roughly determined that the event will be held at Samerkan Track, Suphan Buri Province and at Si Satchanalai Track, Sukhothai Province or at the Khao Kayai Track, Chai Nat province.  As Princess Mah Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup Thailand Flat Mountain Bike Championships 2020 and the bike for life “Sport Tourism Bike for All 2020” originally set for 4- round each, must hold on the project because it is a competition with many people.

“For an international competitions, for example; the “UCI Track Asia Cup” is expected to be held in November at the Velodrome Huamak or the Velodrome, Suphan Buri province, which is currently unable to determine any certainty. Because everything depends on the situation at that time and must be based on government health measures, including the measures of the hosting provinces in the main points.” said General Decha. 

In addition, General Decha said that for the competition “Home Cycling, Combating COVID-19”, the TCA, in an association with the Office of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF), has been continuously organized. Most recently, on Thursday, May 14, it was a cycling activity for health. FS1 Wisut Kasiyaphat, a Thailand national coach and one of the working groups of the project, reported that there was a lot of attention from the general public. Nearly 1,000 Thai men and women riders have joined, including "Nong Song" Rawirat Srisopha, a famous female cyclist from the Venn Cycling team, who rode in the TCA's studio at the Velodrome Huamak.

General Decha added in the end that on Sunday May 17, the competition will begin at around 5:00 pm, which “Coach Tum” is waiting for Zwift to determine the exact race route first. The TCA has pampered the elderly riders by dividing into the age groups as per the request, consisting of Men’s Open 30-39-year-old, 40-49-year-old, 50-year-old, Women's Open and Women 30-year-old and older. In order to have fun and be close to each other,  it will be broadcast live on Facebook and Thaicycling Association's Facebook fan page.  Cycling fans at home have a chance to win many prizes. All fans who want to apply for the competition, can visit the website of Thai Cycling Association website : www.thaicycling.or.th and Facebook Thaicycling Association Facebook page.