Cycling champs pedal into Kampong Chhnang
THE 2023 National Cycling Championships are underway from January 5-8, with this year’s races being held in Kampong Chhnang province for the first time.
The Cambodia Cycling Federation (CCF) held a January 2 press conference to share several exciting new changes about the races, which will include several classes of both road cycling and mountain biking.
It explained that although for the past three years, the event has been run in Siem Reap province, the decision was made to move the races. Kampong Chhnang has recently constructed many kilometres of new roading infrastructure, and is also home to some of the Kingdom’s best mountain biking trails.
In addition, the federation added that the province is home to the third highest number of bicycle riders, behind Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
This year has seen Herbalife (Cambodia) step up to sponsor the event. In addition to the funding provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the nutrient specialists have contributed over $40,000 to the event organisers.
“Thanks to the additional $42,750 in sponsorship, the CCF has made the decision to award prizes to the top five cyclists in each category this year. In the past, only the three podium finishers have been rewarded,” explained federation secretary-general Nou Chamroeun, at the press conference, held at the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC).
Chanroeun also provided an overview of the event. A total of 298 cyclists and coaches from 28 separate associations and clubs are set to take part in the seven events which are scheduled – three on the road and four on the trails.
The road races will see men’s junior, elite and master’s classes take on a 130.5km course, while the mountain bike races will feature the same three classes, plus a women’s event. Each of the mountain bikers will tackle a technical 22.4km trail.
In addition, a celebratory parade of over 500 cyclists is scheduled. The participants will include senior leaders and officials from Kampong Chhnang province, federation delegates and volunteers from the public.
“The number of racers has increased by 10 per cent, compared to last year. Many of the riders have enrolled in both the road bike race on January 6 and the mountain bike race on January 7,” he said.
“Under the guidance of CCF president Pan Sorasak, we have set two main strategic goals for this year’s event. For our first goal, we are looking to strengthen the capacities of our technical officials, as well as our organisational abilities, as the Kingdom is preparing to host the Asian Youth Games 2029,” he added.
He explained the federation’s second goal for this year’s champs.
“As there are so many racers set to take part, the CCF will use the event as part of the selection process for the national team’s training programmes. The entrants will get the chance to display their abilities, and the federation’s selection panel will get a chance to take a close look at them,” he said.
“We are seeking out resourceful and capable racers for the national team. Each year, we pay close attention to the national championships. This is the biggest event of the year before we select the team that will begin intense training for next year’s 33rd SEA Games, which will be hosted by Thailand,” he added.