Published on August 29, 2005
[MOUNTAIN BIKES] Thai SEA Games rider Tawatchai Masae lived up to
his ranking by comfortably winning the 48-kilometre cross-country
Competition Bike event at the Bhumibol Dam Invitation International
Mountain Bike Championship in Tak yesterday.
A strong field consisting of elite riders from across the country,
including SEA Games team riders Thanawat Sammana and Saeri Leungsiri,
drew a large crowd of more than 1,000 at the biggest dam in the
country, which is about 60 kilometres from Tak.
The riders faced a stern test as they had to ride three rounds of a
tough 16km route which wound its way along the hills around the dam.
After the starting gun, defending champion Thanawat of the Cannondale
team broke away and took an early lead. However, Cannondale’s
Tawatchai, who was rated as the Kingdom’s top rider, took the lead from
his team-mate in the middle of the first round and then never looked
back.
Tawatchai crossed the finishing line and raised his hands in triumphant
after two hours, 26 minutes and 20 seconds. Saeri of the Bike Net team
came second, almost five minutes behind, while Thanet Pitthayathonlerd
finished third.
“I am very pleased with my performance today because the route was very tough,” said SEA Games medal prospect Thawatchai.
“There were many climbs and the weather was very hot. Besides, the
other riders were all strong so this victory gives me a big boost in
confidence ahead of the SEA Games.”
The rider from Si Sa Ket took home Bt30,000 and a trophy from Privy
Councillor Air Marshal Kumthon Sithiwanont, while Saeri pocketed
Bt10,000 and Thanet received Bt5,000.
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/08/29/sport/index.php?news=sport_18454997.html
