Sarah Lee and Hong Kong riders vow to put on a show at new velodrome
Local team are excited about giving home-grown fans their best performance in the first international event to be held at HK$600m velodrome
The cream of Hong Kong's talent promised to put on a show when they christen the new Tseung Kwan O velodrome with an international event starting today.
Hong Kong will be represented by a full squad, including Olympic bronze medallist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, for their first home international track event.
They will race against teams from China, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Western Australia and India in the Hong Kong International Track Cup.
The more people come, the better atmosphere for the riders to deliver their best. We rarely have the chance to race in front of our home crowd
Lee said coach Shen Jinkang was "very serious" about enthralling the fans as first impressions were important.
"The coach is very serious about the event as it is the first competition in the new venue," she said. "He wants us to leave a good impression so the fans will come back to support us."
The three-day event is the first major competition in the newly opened HK$600 million venue, widely considered the cradle for more local riders to achieve international honours following Lee's heroics at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
"We have come a long way and now we have our own facility. It's not been easy," said Lee, who will take part in three sprint events - the 500-metre time trial of which she is the reigning world champion, the sprint and keirin.
"I hope more people can come to support us and enjoy some great track cycling.