Hong Kong’s Lee claims scratch gold at Asian Track Championships, officials cost Chu medal
Ceci Lee makes huge career breakthrough in Malaysia, while head coach blasts decision that deprives Chu Tsun-wai of podium spot
Hong Kong cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing claimed the first major title of her career on Sunday, winning gold in the scratch race at the Asian Track Championships in Malaysia.
The 23-year-old’s huge career breakthrough changed the mood in the city team’s camp, after head coach Herve Dagorne had blasted officials for costing her teammate Chu Tsun-wai a medal in the elimination race 24 hours earlier.
Lee upgraded last year’s scratch race silver, after a blistering last lap left home rider Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir trailing home in second at the National Velodrome in Nilai.
“She was proactive and made the right decisions and I am glad she got the reward for her positivity,” Dagorne said.
On Saturday, Chu had been eliminated with four riders remaining, despite clear evidence that the 23-year-old crossed the cut-off line in front of Bernard Van Aert. Indonesian van Aert went on to claim bronze, behind gold medallist Eiya Hashimoto, of Japan, and Korea’s Park Sang-hoon in second.
A furious Dagorne, who used some colourful language to describe the officials, said officials had cost his rider a podium spot.
