Hong Kong cyclists Chloe Leung and Vincent Lau prepare for Asian Games time trial after Japan reconnaissance
Quick Look
After a reconnaissance trip to Japan where they navigated rain-sodden descents and dodged deer, Hong Kong cyclists Chloe Leung Wing-yee and Vincent Lau Wan-yau are ready to launch the territory's Asian Games campaign in the individual time trial next week, with head coach Herve Dagorne praising their suitability for a medal bid despite course challenges in Nagoya.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Chloe Leung is a bronze medallist in the individual time trial from the 2018 Asian Games and finished fourth in 2022. She was controversially overlooked for the Paris Olympics two years ago but has since rebounded with strong performances, including at the UCI Road World Championships. Vincent Lau partnered with Leung to win time trial bronze at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
After a flying reconnaissance visit to Japan, where they dodged deer and navigated treacherous, rain-sodden descents, the daredevil cycling pair of Chloe Leung Wing-yee and Vincent Lau Wan-yau have equipped themselves with the smarts to launch Hong Kong’s Asian Games campaign in grand style next week.
If it is a bugbear of Herve Dagorne’s that each delegation is allowed only one rider in the individual time trial races that get the Games cycling programme under way next Sunday, then in Leung and Lau, who claimed time trial bronze in Hangzhou in 2023, the head coach believes he has the perfect duo for a glory bid.
A bronze medallist in the discipline in 2018, and fourth three years ago, Leung has impressively rebounded from the gut punch of being controversially overlooked for the Paris Olympics two years ago; delivering a succession of notable performances that included a pair of fine rides in last year’s UCI Road World Championships.
An archetypal mountain goat, she claimed Asian Road Cycling Championships time trial silver earlier this year on a flat route in Saudi Arabia that was entirely unconducive to her climbing and technical strengths. But for a self-confessed mental wobble when she realised she was ahead on the road, Leung would have won.
“It required no skill,” said Dagorne, who is rubbing his hands together over a course in Nagoya that is “in the middle of nowhere, with super narrow roads”. “There are lots of leaves, moose running around and it’s very slippery,” Dagorne added.
“The technical aspect is going to be really important.”
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Chloe Leung and Vincent Lau Wan-yau will compete in the individual time trial at the Asian Games next Sunday
Very likely · Within days
Herve Dagorne expects the technical aspects of the Nagoya course to be important for performance
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific date next week is the individual time trial scheduled for?
- What are the exact dimensions and elevation profile of the Nagoya course?
- Have any other Hong Kong cyclists qualified for Asian Games events besides Leung and Lau?
