Hong Kong women’s hopes of instant Rio road race ticket dashed in Japan
Yang Qianyu fails to win event, coming sixth behind victorious South Korean Na Ah-reum at Asian Championships
Hong Kong’s hopes of sending a woman rider straight to the Rio Games road race in August were shattered after failing to win at the Asian Championships in Oshima, Japan yesterday.
Only the regional champion will be given a ticket to Rio and Na Ah-reum of South Korea, who came 13th at the 2012 London Games four years ago, won the 107km race. She beat 39 riders across the finish line in three hours, 17 minutes and 53 seconds.
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Hong Kong’s Yang Qianyu managed a sixth place after failing to catch the breakaway group of four riders in the final lap, finishing two minutes and 27 seconds behind.
Hong Kong will now have to wait until May 31 when the UCI governing body for the sport announces the Olympic qualification rankings, where the top 22 nations will make it to the Rio Games. An individual who ranks among the first 100 may also get a ticket under special provisions.
Hong Kong is now 30th in the nation rankings, while Meng Zhaojuan is the highest in the individual rankings, with an 80th place. Meng suffered a crash during training in Oshima and did not start in the race, coach Shen Jinkang said.