Hong Kong target twin-Asian medal haul, as head coach Dagorne waits for contract news
Ceci Lee will lead city’s challenge at Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia. Head coach Herve Dagorne’s contract close to ending
An arduous trek by air and road, alien terrain and formidable rivals all stand in the way of Hong Kong’s cyclists and success at the Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia this week.
Staged in the Kingdom’s Qassim Region from Thursday, the championships will mark a competition return for Ceci Lee Sze-wing, 2½ months after her triple gold medal National Games exploits.
They will also provide Herve Dagorne, the head coach, with a chance to nudge his Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) employers over a contract that expires at the end of March.
“I’ve heard no news,” said the Frenchman, who was approached by the Saudi Cycling Federation last year about switching jobs.
Dagorne has challenged his squad to match the two bronze medals they won at the championships 12 months ago, when Lee finished third in the individual road, then combined with her teammates for the final podium spot in the team time trial mixed relay.
Now a “driving force” in the Hong Kong team, Lee had “progressed physically over the winter, and she’s strong and adaptable,” Dagorne said.