The battle for Hong Kong’s sole Tokyo Olympics spot in the men’s cycling road race was thrown wide open after the sudden withdrawal of top riders Cheung King-lok and Fung Ka-hoo from the team.
Cheung, a 2016 Rio Olympian, and Fung, a fast-improving young rider who represented Hong Kong at the 2018 Asian Games time trial, were considered among the favourites for the single ticket to Tokyo.
Cheung became one of the most decorated Hong Kong riders following the retirement of Wong Kam-po. The 30-year-old was the double Asian champion in the road race and time trial in 2016, the same year he was recruited by Australian world tour team Orica GreenEdge and took part in a number of races in Europe before travelling to Rio for the Olympics.
Fung, 23, finished 37th in the individual time trial at the 2017 Under-23 World Championships in Bergen, Norway – the best ever result by any Hong Kong cyclist.
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While Fung said he had differences with coach Shen Jinkang on aspects of training, Cheung said he retired on March 31 without giving any reason. The names of both riders are missing from the latest list of scholarship athletes at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. .
Last week, Hong Kong finished third in the men’s team time trial at the China road race series two in Henan province but Fung and Cheung were not part of the team.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Cycling Association (HKCA) Leung Hung-tak was disappointed to see two top riders quit the team but remained upbeat on identifying the best athlete for the Tokyo Games.
“Fung was once considered the favourite to represent Hong Kong at the forthcoming Olympic Games due to his strong ability in the road race but we can do little if he decides to quit,” said the cycling chief. “He is still young and maybe he will change his mind some time in future but at the moment we have lost one of the most talented road riders.
“Cheung has been in the Hong Kong team for over a decade and won medals at every Asian Games since 2010. His combination with Leung Chun-wing in the men’s madison just missed a spot to the Tokyo Olympics. He may have his own thoughts on his future.”
Cheung and Leung Chun-wing captured a track gold medal in the madison at the 2018 Asian Games and at the World Cup series in Minsk that same year. But the duo failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games after losing out to Ireland in the race to win the last of 16 spots in the Olympic roster – possibly one of the reasons Cheung decided to call it a day.
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Leung Chun-wing, a world junior champion in the points race, is now the firm favourite to represent Hong Kong at the Olympic Games road race, with veteran Ko Siu-wai and upcoming riders Vincent Lau Wan-yau, Ng Sum-lui and Chu Chun-wai also in the mix.
“Those who are in the China races will be considered for the Tokyo Games, while we may also test them when they return for the Nations Cup in May. Then we will make the final decision for the Olympic spot,” said HKCA chief Leung.
