Vietnamese cycling set eye on new record at SEA Games 31

The previous record, set at SEA Games 22, 2003 was three gold medals in the individual, cross-country and downhill categories.

In the most recent SEA Games event in 2019, Vietnam won two gold medals thanks to Nguyen Thi That in the individual category and Dinh Thi Nhu Quynh in the cross-country race.

There will be 12 sets of medals in this SEA Games and the target of Vietnamese cycling is to win five gold medals, with high expectations for female racers.

With the defending Asian cycling champion That and other quality players in the squad like Nguyen Thi Thu Mai, Bui Thi Quynh, Nguyen Thi Thi, Nguyen Thi Kim Cuong, Vietnam have a great chance to win the gold medal in the women’s road race and women’s team time trial.

Notable opponents in the team category will be Thailand’s Jutatip Maleenphan and the runner-up of Asia, Indonesia’s Ayustina Priatna.

In the women’s road race, That and Quynh will compete with cyclists from Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The cross-country race will see Quynh and Ca Thi Thom trying to defend their gold and silver gold medals. Quang Thi Soan is also considered a contender for the gold medal in the women’s downhill race.

The male racers are also set to create a surprise for their opponents. Tran Tuan Kiet and Quang Van Cuong are in great form and can compete with strong racers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Vietnam also hope to make a comeback in a category they used to dominate, which is the men’s time trial.

At present, the women’s team are training in Phan Thiet in the south central coast while all members of the men’s team are competing in the Ho Chi Minh City national cycling tournament (HTV Cup). The main concern is that the male players will not be able to recover their stamina in time after the 23-stage tournament.