Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Ronaldo Laitonjam emerged as India’s star cyclist as hosts retain the championship topping the leaderboard with 27 medals, – 10 Gold, 8 Silver and 7 Bronze -in the Track Asia Cup which concluded at IGI Sports Complex here on Wednesday
The hosts ended their campaign by winning 03 medals including 2 Gold & 1 Bronze on final day . Uzbekistan finished second with 4 Gold & 3 Silver medals while Malaysia secured third place with 4 Gold and 1 Silver.
Ronaldo, turned out to be a show stopper as the teenager won his fourth Gold and this time in Men Junior Keirin event while other 3 Gold medals were in Sprint, 1Km Time Trial and Team Sprint.
In Keirin, out of 5 rounds, in last 2.5 rounds cyclists have to defeat through their speed and Ronaldo outset the Kazakhstan Riders Arlanbek and Alexandr Safarov who won Silver and Bronze respectively. Ronaldo’s performance showed that he is going to next level from winning two medals in World Junior Cycling Championships.
“This is the best ever performance of my career and in every event I improved my timing, this is most important and with the blessings of my family, I achieved it.” Ronaldo said
Esow, current World No. 1 Ranking holder and Indian hope in upcoming Olympics 2020 won an easy Gold in Men Elite Keirin event and collected crucial points to move a step closer to qualify for Olympics. Thailand rider Worayut Kapunya won Silver while Amarjeet Singh of India added a Bronze to India’s Tally.
However fancied Deborah Harold and Mayuri Lute had a disappointing outing in Women’s Elite Keirin as they were not able to enter the top Six. Top three places went to Fatehah of Malaysia, Crismontia of Indonesia and Cho Yiu of Hongkong respectively.
Onkar Singh, Chairman Cycling Federation of India said, “Junior Cyclists from India produced stellar performances throughout Track Asia Cup to show their skills and tactics. Elite Cyclists of India collected crucial points during competition to earn an opportunity to qualify for Olympics. I’m very much satisfied with the performances of Indian Cyclists”