Hong Kong National Games medal hope attracts elite interest after world-class performance
Durable Chloe Leung Wing-yee, a key figure for powerful city team in Games road race, capturing attention after World Championships display
Herve Dagorne has revealed he fielded calls from elite teams keen on Chloe Leung Wing-yee after the Hong Kong National Games medal hope shone at the recent UCI Road World Championships.
Leung placed 22nd in the women’s time trial, but it was her performance in a punishing individual road race that alerted the world to her talent.
On a 164.4-km, 11-lap Rwandan course that laid waste to 50 riders who did not reach the end, Leung came home 39th out of 53 finishers. First among the Asian competitors, she was in touch with the leaders until the closing circuit.
“It was a world-class performance and a lot of the world tour teams were surprised because there aren’t many Asians at that level,” Dagorne, the Hong Kong head coach, said.
“They were asking whether she’s available, and whether we’re interested in elevating her to a world tour team. It’s something we’ll discuss with the cycling association to try to open up that chance for her.”
Fifteen teams compete on the UCI Women’s World Tour, which was launched in 2016 and features more than 25 single-day and multi-stage races each year. The final day of this year’s women’s Tour de France drew more than seven million television viewers in the host country as home rider Pauline Ferrand-Prevot completed her victory.