Sarawut fought with all his heart to win the road race gold and led his teammates to win the team gold. General Decha revealed the team has exceeded the target with 8 gold medals so far, 4 silver, and 2 bronze.
On 16 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Sarawut Sirironnachai fought valiantly to claim the men's individual road race gold medal, marking the 7th gold for the Thai cycling team. He also helped his teammates secure the team gold medal, the 8th gold in cycling at the 33rd SEA Games. General Decha reported Thai cyclists have surpassed expectations, collecting 8 golds, 4 silvers, and 2 bronzes so far. There remain opportunities to win one more gold in the women's individual road race and five golds in track events.
The 33rd SEA Games cycling road race events on 16 Dec featured two gold medals contested in the men's individual and team road races. The route stretched 157 km from Kamol Sports Park in Nong Chok, Bangkok, to Khao Kheow Reporting Station at the Air Force's Phatromjai Base in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Nayok Province. The race start ceremony was honored by Dato Amarit Singh Gill, President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), along with General Decha Hemkrasri, ACC Vice President, ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF) President, and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, plus the association's executive committee.
Eight nations competed in the road race: Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. The Thai team included Sarawut Sirironnachai, Peerapol Chaowchiangkwang, Thanakarn Chaiyasombat, Ratchanon Yaowarat, and Nawuti Leipongyu. During the race, a breakaway group of seven riders formed, including Ratchanon. However, as they climbed, the group fragmented with riders from the Philippines and Indonesia attempting to break away but eventually tiring and being overtaken.
In the final 2 km, the two leaders were Silhan Nurrahmat from Indonesia and Pham Le Xuan Loc from Singapore. Sarawut, displaying his fighting spirit, surged past both within the last 100 meters to win gold, thrilling hundreds of cycling fans who had come to cheer. This marked the 7th gold for Thailand’s cycling team. Silhan Nurrahmat took silver and Pham Le Xuan Loc earned bronze, all finishing with the same time of 4:13:05.
Thanakarn finished 5th with a time of 4:13:41, and Peerapol placed 7th at 4:13:56. Their combined times earned Thailand the team gold in the men's road race with a total time of 12:40:42, marking the team’s 8th gold medal. Malaysia took silver with 12:42:48 and Indonesia bronze with 12:43:51. Overall, the Thai cycling team has now secured 8 golds, 4 silvers, and 2 bronzes, exceeding their original target of 6 gold medals.
After the race, General Decha praised all Thai cyclists for their full effort. "At first, when we were behind, I was uneasy, but Sarawut managed to overtake in the last 100 meters to win gold," he said. He congratulated the athletes and thanked coaches Wisut Kasiaphat, Puchong Saiaudomsilp, and all staff for their dedicated support. He emphasized that discipline among athletes is key to success. With 8 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals now, the team has exceeded its goal. There are still events left: the women's individual road race for one gold and five gold medals in track events. He urged the Thai public to continue supporting the cyclists to win more gold medals as a New Year gift to all Thai people.
Sarawut said he was very happy to succeed and that everyone worked hard to win two gold medals today. He dedicated the gold medal to all Thai people and to General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand.
Thanakarn, who was moved to tears, said, "At first, we were many minutes behind, and I cramped during the climb to Khao Kheow, but I believed we could do it. Thanks to the encouragement from Thai supporters, the cramps eased. I pulled Sarawut and told him we had to make it, and he really did. I’m very happy. I dedicate this gold to all Thai people, to General Decha Hemkrasri who has taken great care of us, to the fans who cheered along the way, and finally, to my family. Thank you very much."
Peerapol said the race was very tough from the start. They sent Ratchanon in the lead group and had Nawuti pace the main group to maintain distance. At Khao Yai checkpoint, their plan went well, sending Sarawut and Thanakarn to the summit, where Sarawut succeeded. He thanked all fans for their support, General Decha, and all coaching staff for helping them achieve victory.
The 33rd SEA Games cycling schedule on 17 Dec includes one gold medal event in the women's individual road race, starting at 09:00 from Kamol Sports Park on Suwinthawong Road in Nong Chok, Bangkok, finishing at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. The course is 131.2 km long.