Hong Kong cyclists warned: mainland rivals will gang up on us at National Games

Herve Dagorne has warned Hong Kong’s cyclists that mainland Chinese rivals will gang up on them in the fight for National Games glory later this year.

Head coach Dagorne, whose squad are in Shizuoka preparing for this month’s Japan Track Cup, has targeted four medals from November’s Games, while Leung Hung-tak, the local association chairman, identified seven potential podium opportunities.

The Frenchman, however, said lucrative bonus incentives for mainland riders, coupled with provinces treating the Games as seriously as the Olympics, “would lead to coalitions”.

“We’ll be alone on the track, which will make the races tougher, because it’s difficult technically and tactically,” Dagorne said.

“In Hong Kong, we don’t know [about potential bonuses], but we just care about the colour of the medals. For some of the provinces’ riders, they can earn ¥10m [US$1.4m].”

Dagorne said Hong Kong’s motivation for competing in Luoyang’s China Track Cycling League closing leg earlier this month was to “see how some riders collaborate for their mutual interest”. “China have a reservoir of talent, it’s absolutely incredible, especially on the physical side,” he said.