Cycling settles for three golds, hopes haul will spark revival

MTB downhill gold medalists John Derrick Farr and Lea Belgira holding up their SEA Games medals. Photo by Cedelf Tupas

Cycling fell short of its target of at least five gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, but the top official of the sport in the country hopes to use the momentum gained from staging the biennial meet in the country to spark a revival in future international competitions.

PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is looking to give more international exposure to national riders as they plot a way back to the top of the region.

“We have to join more tournaments, but that will depend on funding,” said Tolentino, who is also the Philippine Olympic Committee president. “We also have to improve on our selection [of athletes].”

Thailand collected seven golds, including a double in BMX time trial and track events, while the host country finished with three golds, four silver and four bronze medals.

The country’s three golds came from John Derrick Farr and Lea Belgira in mountain bike downhill, and Jermyn Prado in women’s individual time trial.