Thai Cycling association hopes to win 2 gold medals from Men’s and Women’s Downhill in the 31st SEA Games.

In the 31^st SEA Games in Vietnam, there are 12 gold medals in total, divided into 5 gold for MTB, 5 and 7 gold Road, starting with 2 gold medals from the mountain, Downhill men and women on November 24, "Seth. Muek" said that the host has drafted the technical guide book but there are still many points lacking. In addition, the list of athletes must be submitted 90 days in advance, which is against the SEA Games Constitution stating that the list of athletes must be submitted 60 days before the competition. Therefore, various shortcomings have been urged to discuss with the ASEAN Cycling Association or ACA.

"Seth. Muek" General Decha Hemkasri, President of Thai Cycling Association said that the progress in preparing Thai cyclists for the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam which will be hosted between November 21 to December 2, which is a preparation to handle in the COVID-19 situation pandemic that has been spreading continuously, affecting the preparation of Thai cyclists, in terms of training and having competition in abroad. However, even in a state that cannot perform the training very well but the Thai riders in the network representing the Thai national team are not discouraged. Try to practice and maintain the condition with the use of applications and related sports science and can be carried out to accompany the practice under online supervision from trainers.

Gen. Decha said the association recently received a draft technical guide book for the tournament organized by the SEA Games cycling organizing division delivered to Dato Haji Abu Samah Wahab, president of the ASEAN Cycling Association (ACA), which is scheduled for the race, the race location, maps and important information complete with the essence of bicycle racing in the SEA Games. In Vietnam, there will be two types of competitions, 12 gold medals, separated into road categories, 7 gold medals, consisting of mens’-women’s Criterium, men’s-women’s Individual Time Trial, men’s-women’s Road race and women team road race. MTB: 5 gold medals, consisting of men’s and women’s downhill, men’s-women’s cross-country and Cross Country Team relay. It will use the area in the city of Hoa Binh which is located about 80 km in south of Hanoi to be the venue of the competition.

General Decha said that for the scheduled competition on November 23 it is the mountain bike team managers’ meeting, November 24, is the competition of first 2 gold medals from Downhill men and women, November 25, is the competition of 2 gold medals, cross country men - women, November 26, is the competition of 1 gold medal, cross country team relay, November 27, team managers’ meeting for Road team, November 28, is the competition of 2 gold medals, Criterium men and women, November 29, is the competition of 2 gold medals, Individual Time Trial men and women, November 30, is the competition of 1 gold medal for Men’s individual road race. And conclude on December 1, compete for 2 gold medals, Road Race Individual - Women's Team with the preliminary information from the said document given that the road race will use a mostly flat route which ordered the technical department and staff coaching both road and mountain review them in all details to prepare for the rehearsal, to training equipment and competitions in accordance with the terrain of the venue

"However” from the draft of the competition handbook It's imperfect and lacking in some important details. In particular, the altitude profile of both Time Trials and Road Race is a critical component in determining athletes competing through the selection of race equipment for optimal performance and performance. In addition, in the submission of the number of athletes in each event or the Entry Form By Number of the competition manual scheduled on March 23, 2021, which is now beyond that deadline. While listing confirmation or Entry Form By Name is scheduled for August 23, 2021, which is three months before the competition. It does not comply with the SEA Games constitution stating that each nation will submit a list of athletes competing 60 days in advance. Thai Cycling Association have sent an email to discuss with the ASEAN Cycling Association (ACA) urgently, "said General Decha.

General Decha added that In addition to preparing for the competition situation, the association is also preparing to send technical staff and staff coaches to collect details of the race route. In order to adjust the training plan as soon as possible but still need to consider the conditions of the COVID-19 epidemic. As well as travel restrictions on both the Vietnamese and Thai sides, carefully before taking any further action.