The continent’s cycling chiefs have moved to explain a series of interesting decisions about their calendar and competition rules for this year’s Asian Games.
Hong Kong’s head coach, Herve Dagorne, said last week that he was at a loss over the decision to organize the Games’ road events before the four-day track program, and at the same time as the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal.
Dagorne also could not understand why teams are limited to only three riders in the individual road race, and only one in the individual time trial (ITT).
In response to questions from the South China Morning Post, the president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill, said his organization’s hands were tied over race dates.
“Road races are competitions held on public roads that require temporary traffic restrictions,” Singh Gill said.
“Therefore, the event is scheduled for Japan’s public holiday period from September 19 to 23 to minimize the impact of these restrictions on economic activity and the daily lives of citizens.”
