Members of the Magwe Division cycling team (L-R: Kyaw Min Oo, Myo Lwin, Aung Myo Naing) prepare to compete in the final of the 4000-metre team pursuit event at the States and Divisions Championships at Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, on February 20. Pic: Douglas Long

MORE than 120 riders turned out last week to compete in the 39th States and Division Cycling Championship, held at Thuwunna cycling track from February 14 to 20.

The men’s and women’s shields were both won by the teams representing Yangon Division. Yangon also dominated the individual awards, with Yazar Minn Soe and Nyo Nyo Sann, both representing Yangon Division, taking out the best male and female awards in the street bike category. The best male and female prizes in the racing bike category went to Magwe’s Aung Myo Naing and Yangon’s Thandar Kyaw respectively.

In an attempt to attract more competitors and unearth new talent, the organisers decided – for the first time in 15 years – to allow street bikes. Each event – scratch, pursuit, Olympic sprint and long distance – featured an open category and a street bike category.

The vice president of the Myanmar Cycling Federation, U Thet Win, said the decision had paid off and the number of competitors was up about one-third on the 2008 championship.

“Racing bikes are, as we all know, very expensive and there are many people who are interested in cycling but are not able to afford to buy a racing bike, so before they couldn’t enter in the race,” U Thet Win said. “Our main aim is to find new talented riders who perhaps we had not known about before. Now, when we opened the competition to street bike riders, they came out.”

“There is no cycling track that meets international standards in Myanmar, let alone a velodrome, so we decided we should put emphasis on the road rather than the track. We will continue with this philosophy next year as well and will try to inform as many riders as possible that they are able to compete with ordinary bikes. Although they can’t beat the racing bike riders, we will encourage them to compete by creating a special category for them,” he explained.

U Thet Win said the reintroduction of street bikes had caused some confusion in regards to rules and the federation would ensure riders were aware of the rules in future races.

The leader of the Eastern Shan State team, U Zee Lian Ar, applauded the federation’s decision to include a road bike category.

“Riders of road bikes will be more confident to come out and compete in competitions like this and they will feel that they have the chance to win medals like every other rider, U Zee Lian Ar said. “There should be more and more such races.”

Sai Aung Kham, representing Eastern Shan State, finished second in the 100-kilometre (60-mile) long distance race, held between Yangon and Bago on February 15. He told The Myanmar Times that the long distance race was perfect preparation for this week’s 630km (380 mile) Tour of Myanmar.

“I believ that I will finish in the top ten [in the Tour of Myanmar],” he said in his native Shan language.

The Tour of Myanmar begins today, February 23, in front of the Youth Training Camp in Thuwanna at 6am and riders will travel 176km (110 miles) to Kyaikhto on the first day. On February 24 riders will travel the 126 kilometres (80 miles) to Mawlamyine. On February 25 riders will return to Kyaikhto and the race will end on Thursday, February 26 at Taukkyant in Yangon.

The winner will take home a racing bike and K500,000, the runner-up will receive K400,000 and third place-getter will receive K300,000. Cash prizes will be distri-buted to the top 24 riders. There are no age restrictions and competitors may use the bike of their choice.