Hong Kong cycling star’s golden gift, as coach tempers National Games expectations

Chloe Leung Wing-yee has been given a golden reminder of her potential to achieve home glory at the National Games in November.

One day after a heavy fall in the omnium, Leung delivered a fabulous exhibition of daring and execution to outpace the otherwise dominant Japanese Yumi Kajihara and win Saturday’s scratch race at the Japan Track Cup.

Dagorne, who likened the four-day competition in Japan to a “small World Cup”, handed Leung a meaningful gift following her victory.

“It’s a wrench you use many times every day to change your bike’s gear, but this one is a masterpiece, and gold plated,” Dagorne said. “I want her to remember, every time she changes her wheel, that gold is within reach … but you have to truly want it.”

With Kajihara, 28, preoccupied by the threat of perennial rival Ceci Lee Sze-wing, Leung surprised the field with a bold attack about three-quarters of the way through the 40-lap event.