5-member squad set for Switzerland
[CYCLING] A five-member Thai cycling team, including Asian Games bronze medallist Chanpeng Nontasin, will undergo a month of intensive training in Switzerland before competing in the World Cup Championship Class B in South Africa from June 29 to July30.
Maj-General Decha Hemkrasri, secretary-general of Thai Cycling Association (TCA), said the Olympic Solidarity has approved the budget for the Thai team to train at Union of Cycling International (UCI), the world's leading training centre for cyclists. The team, coached by Saneh Laosakchai, consists of Vietnam SEA Games gold medallist Chanpeng, Monrudee Chapukum, Pornnapa Ouppachakum, and Thatsani Witchana. The training, from March 1-31, is part of TCA's preparation for this year's SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima and also the Olympic Games in Beijing next year. Last November, Thanes Pittayatornlert, Vivatchai Chauy-kun, Juthatip Maneepun and Thatsani were sent on the Olympic Solidarity scholarship to train at the UCI. Decha said Chanpeng, who will compete in the women's individual time-trial, and Thatsani, who will race in the women's mass start, are the country's best bets in the World Cup. He said the association is not expecting the riders to bring home medals but gain experience from international competitions. Chanpeng picked up a bronze medal at the Asian Games and the promising Thatsani won the gold medal in the Asian Championship in Malaysia last year.
Teerapot Taweewanabul The Nation
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