Hong Kong cyclist Lee makes Olympics road race case, but doubts remain over mental state
- Leung Wing-yee vying with Ceci Lee for women’s road race berth, Vincent Lau Wan-yau set for Paris nod in men’s competition
Ceci Lee Sze-wing staked a claim for Olympic road race selection after retaining her National Road Championships title on Sunday, but doubts remain over her frame of mind weeks before the Games begin in Paris.
Hong Kong’s leading female cyclist, Lee is low on form and confidence in the omnium track discipline she is expected to tackle at her debut Games next month.
And Lee said she was “tired and not in the shape I want” after fending off second-placed Guardiola Cheung Lee-tong, and Leung Wing-yee in third for her second Hong Kong crown in Tin Shui Wai.
The 23-year-old nevertheless said she wanted to race over the 158km course in the French capital, as well as her omnium commitments.
“Road racing is the base of cycling, most track cyclists begin in road cycling, and keep [competing] in it,” Lee said. “I want to do the same. My condition is not good now, I am tired after so many races, and there has not been enough time for training.”
But Lee, who has been struggling mentally on the track this year, said she trusted head coach Herve Dagorne to “have us in the best shape for the Olympics”.
