Hong Kong confident of getting nod to host World Cup track cycling

Local association sorts out financial issues to lodge a formal bid for a leg of the international series

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Sarah Lee Wai-sze and her teammates will get the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 10:15pm, 29 Apr 2015Updated: 12:16pm, 6 Jan 2016

Superstar Sarah Lee Wai-sze and other top Hong Kong riders are set to compete in a leg of the World Cup in front of a home crowd after the local cycling association decided to splash the cash on the HK$10 million event.

Association chairman Leung Hung-tak revealed yesterday it would bid for one of three legs of the international series in the coming season after successfully sorting out financial issues.

The UCI has always wanted Hong Kong to host a leg of the World Cup series

Leung Hung-tak

He said they would lodge a formal bid and the International Cycling Union (UCI) was almost certain to give the nod.

“The UCI has always wanted Hong Kong to host a leg of the World Cup series. One leg is still available for the coming season. Once we announce our interest, the UCI is likely to satisfy our request,” he said.

“We had a meeting with the association’s top officials this week and basically they have agreed to our [financial] plan,” said Leung. “We need about HK$4 million from commercial interests and if we can’t sort this out, the officials will find another way to resolve it. “Coupled with a matching fund of HK$4 million from the government’s M Mark fund, we are almost there in terms of a budget. Some expenses can be offset through other sources.

The Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O is regarded as world class venue. photo: Jonathan Wong

“Hong Kong now has a world-class [velodrome] at Tseung Kwan O and it would be a big waste if we are not going to stage a world event there. This also lives up to the expectations of our elite athletes who have been excelling in recent years.” The UCI has already awarded World Cup rounds to Cali, Colombia, for October 30-November 1, followed by Cambridge, New Zealand, on December 5-6.