Philippines' two-cyclist rule for mass start event ‘amusing' – Abu Samah

KUALA LUMPUR: ThePhilippines 2019 SEA Games technical delegate, Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab, has described the organisers' move to limit only two cyclists for each country in the men's mass start event as ‘amusing'.

Abu Samah, who is also the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president, said the organisers also did not want to list the mass start team event, citing it as a waste of money as it would involve a lot of officials.

“If you compete in the mass start event at the Olympics, Asiad or Commonwealth Games, each country will be allowed to enter four cyclists. This is the norm at any major meet.

“But for the 2019 SEA Games, each nation is only allowed to field two riders. I think only 10 countries will compete in the event, meaning only 20 cyclists will be competing.

“I find this amusing as it goes against the usual practice,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said he had requested the organisers to reconsider allowing four riders from each country to ride in the event, adding that there was no need for extra officials as the winner of the team event would be determined by the times posted by the three fastest cyclists from each country.

Abu Samah also described the Philippines' move to list the BMX Freestyle Park, BMX Freestyle Street dan BMX Freestyle Best Trick events as “brave but not very smart”.

“I told them the events may not be well received as only Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia were keen on taking part. They asked for our support but I told them that Malaysia does not have any riders for the three events.

“If the three countries submit their application forms to the organisers, I, as the technical delegate, will not approve the events. I have asked the organiser to review the matter,” he said.

So far, nine men's events have been listed. They are BMX Track, BMX Freestyle Park, BMX Freestyle Street, BMX Freestyle Best Trick, mountain bike cross country, mountain bike downhill, mass start individual, time trial individual and team.

Only four events are listed in the women's category – mountain bike cross country. mountain bike downhill, time trial individual and mass start individual.