The postponement of Thailand Track National Championships.

Thai Cycling Association announces to postpone the first round of Thailand Track Championships to wait for the clarification of the relief measures in the 3rd phase of the Center for Covid-19 situation Administration (CCSA). "Seth. Muek" revealed that after discussing with Mr. Nutthawut Reuangwet, Vice Governor of Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), it is expected to return to the competition in July by strictly following 22 preventive measures while the activity "Home Cycling, Combating Covid-19" continues to move forward and is broadcast live for cycling fans around the country on Facebook, “Thaicycling Association” fan page. The spectators have already surged to over half a million views.

"Seth. Muek" General Decha Hemkasri, President of Thai Cycling Association (TCA) under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, reveals that as Thai Cycling Association is preparing to organize “Queen Sirikit’s Cup Thailand Track Championships 2020”, Round 1 during June 12-14 at the Velodrome, Hua Mak. Most recently, I discussed with Mr Natthawut Rueangwet, Vice Governor of Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), who supervised Professional Sports and Privileges, to request a permission to organize a competition. Mr. Natthawut informed that the SAT has only the power to allow Thai national riders and from clubs affiliated with the TCA to practice only. The approval of organizing the competition is the power of the CCSA. 

General Decha said that the TCA has scheduled the programs in advance throughout the year but in the situation of an epidemic of the COVID-19, the TCA adheres to and abides by the government’s protective measures and the Ministry of Public Health strictly, therefore, the TCA will postpone the first round of Thailand Track Championships, including other competition programs that had already prepared by the TCA, must hold the competition first in order to wait for the easing phase 3 from the CCSA. Currently, it is not clear when it will be, because the CCSA still concentrated on measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.  Mr Natthawut said that the SAT would like to have measures that are a little more clear. At that time, if the TCA will organize a competition, the SAT has no problems at all.

The President of the TCA said that the TCA would like to inform riders who prepare to compete to be patient and awaiting when the competition will be rescheduled. It is expected around July. The situation will be resolved in a good way, and the CCSA may have a mitigation measure in Phase 3 to be able to organize a cycling race since it is an outdoor sport and is an individual competition such as Individual Pursuit, Individual Time Trial etc. The TCA will also strictly adhere to all 22 of measures stickily, while the measures in training at the Velodrome, Hua Mark are still the same measures that the TCA has prescribed.

However, General Decha goes on to say that the TCA continues to organize the project "Home Cycling, Combating Covid-19.” which is to encourage people to exercise at their own homes during the outbreak of the COVID-19 with online cycling or E-Cycling through the application "Zwift" in collaboration with Thai Health Promotion Foundation that is held on every Thursday in the form of cycling for all and on every Sunday in the form of a competition, it is broadcast live on the Thaicycling Association Facebook fan page for the fans around the country to watch. In the past, it had a very good feedback. The spectators have surged to over half a million views and tended to increase steadily.

“If the situation of the COVID-19 is not resolved, the TCA may increase the concentration in the Home Cycling, Combating Covid-19 project. It has to adjust the format for fun and more excited or to organize the competition at the Thailand Championship’s events by having a shield or trophy of honor from persons in the sports circle, including the President of the TCA to be presented to the contestants. We would ask the riders all over the country to continue practicing and to be patient. If the situation improves respectively and the CCSA allows a phase 3 mitigation measure, the TCA is ready to proceed with the competition immediately." said General Decha.

“Coach Tum” FS1 Wisut Kasiyaphat, the head of Thai national team, reveals that the "Home Cycling, Combating Covid-19" activity on Thursday May 28 will be the 7th cycling for all. Riders will ride on the Yorkshire route “2019 UCI WORLDS HARROGATE CIRCUIT” that is modeled from the 2019 World Road Championship for 50 minutes, starting at 6:00 pm with a live broadcast on the Thaicycling Association Facebook fan page at 17.30 pm. For home fans who watch the live broadcast, there will be prizes of "Home Cycling, Combating Covid-19" shirts printed both in Thai and English words for 30 pieces distributed to the lucky winners as before. As for the competition on Sunday May 31, there will be an honor trophy from General Decha Hemkasri, President of the TCA that will be given to cyclists of each category both men and women with a total of 40 awards. Persons who are interested can follow the details on Facebook fan page and the website of TCA www.thaicycling.or.th.