Cycling moves forward to build on its success From the SEA Games to the Asian Games and the Olympics
Cycling has never stopped, continuing to build on its success from the 33rd SEA Games. The plan is to train athletes across all disciplines in preparation for the 20th Asian Games in Japan, while simultaneously accumulating qualifying points for the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States.
Lieutenant General Decha Hemkrasri, Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), President of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, revealed that the association is pushing forward to surpass the targets achieved at the 33rd SEA Games. They are preparing the Thai national cycling team for the 20th Asian Games in Japan, scheduled for September 2026, alongside efforts to accumulate qualifying points for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
Lieutenant General Decha explained that according to the association's plan, Thai national cyclists who competed in the SEA Games—including road, mountain biking, BMX racing, and track cycling—will remain the core focus for the Asian Games. Japan has included all four disciplines, though the competition events differ. Road cycling contests four gold medals: individual time trial for men and women, and individual road race for men and women. Track cycling offers 12 gold medals, including men's and women's team pursuit, team sprint, sprint, keirin, omnium, and madison events. BMX racing has two gold medals for men and women, and mountain biking offers two gold medals for men's and women's Olympic cross-country events.
The association has set a policy for rigorous athlete selection to ensure medal-contending potential in line with the Sports Authority of Thailand's guidelines. From early 2026 until the Asian Games in September, Thai national cyclists will also accumulate points for the 2028 Olympic qualification through international competitions sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). This dual approach allows Thai cyclists to measure their performance against Asian competitors and develop their skills during training camps in preparation for the Asian Games, Lieutenant General Decha added.
Lieutenant General Decha said the national road cycling team will be the first to implement the Asian Games strategy. The coaching staff, led by “Coach Tum” Wisut Kasiyaphat, will call the first training camp following the Road Cycling Thailand Championship for the King Bhumibol Cup, Stage 1, held at Vajiralongkorn Dam in Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, from 16-18 January 2026. This prepares them for the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia from 5-11 February. The men's team will continue to compete in the Tour de Taiwan in early March and the 2026 Tour of Thailand in late March. The women's team will participate in the Biwase Tour in Vietnam in early March and the Women's Tour of Thailand 2026 in late March to collect points for Olympic qualification.
Regarding track cycling, especially the sprint events, the three main athletes—Jai Angsuthasawit, Senior Sergeant Major Norasetthada Bunma, and Police Senior Sergeant Major Yuenyong Phetcharat—will train to prepare for the 2026 Asian Track Cycling Championships in the Philippines from 21-27 February. They will also compete in the first round of the 2026 Track Cycling World Cup in Perth, Australia, from 14-16 March, and the second round at the Nilai Velodrome in Malaysia in April 2026. The goal is to accumulate qualifying points for the 2026 Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China, in October 2026. Each event also contributes points toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games, Lieutenant General Decha concluded.