Thai cycling continues its campaign at the Asian Road Championship in Saudi Arabia, adding new riders to strengthen the national team for the event.
The Thai cycling team advances after recruiting rising stars from the 2026 Thai National Road and Mountain Bike Championships, held at Vajiralongkorn Dam in Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province. These new athletes will represent Thailand in the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championship in Saudi Arabia from 5-11 February 2026. “Sergeant Major Muek” revealed this aligns with the Cycling Association of Thailand's strategic plan to hold continuous competitions throughout the year to discover fresh talent. Meanwhile, Sakol Aksornthanawat, director of Vajiralongkorn Dam, expressed delight over the large number of cyclists and tourists visiting, which has boosted the local economy in Thong Pha Phum.
The 2026 Thai National Road Cycling Championship, competing for the King Bhumibol Trophy, and the Mountain Bike Championship, competing for the King’s Trophy, took place from 16-18 January at Vajiralongkorn Dam, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province. The road race opening ceremony on 18 January at the dam's helicopter parking area was presided over by Sakol Aksornthanawat, dam director. Attendees included General Pop Anan Luangphanawat, Vice Chairman of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, Mr. Prathet Boonyong, mayor of Tha Khanun Municipality and Vice President of the Cycling Association, along with the organizing committee.
“Sergeant Major Muek” 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 Royal Patronage, revealed that the association has planned to select outstanding athletes to represent Thailand at the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championship in Saudi Arabia from 5-11 February. He reported that Coach Tum Wisut Kasiyaphat, Vice Chairman of Technical Affairs and head coach of the Thai national team, informed him that several athletes performed excellently, notably Baptiste, also known as Arthit Pulard, a Thai-French mixed heritage cyclist who won the men's open category at this event, and Siwaporn Puttaram, a female youth competitor.
“Other athletes also demonstrated strong performances, placing within the top five in both the time trial and road race events. Considering their results over the past year, our continuous recruitment of new athletes is due to the Cycling Association’s strategic plan to hold 28 competitions annually across road, mountain bike, BMX, and track disciplines. Without organizing these events, we wouldn't be able to bring new talent into the sport,” General Decha said.
Coach Tum stated that after evaluating the athletes for the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championship, he is satisfied with the selection. They have recruited at least two promising newcomers: Arthit Pulard, the Thai-French cyclist who has previously competed at the professional tour level and is expected to greatly support the team, and Siwaporn Puttaram, who, despite prior competition experience, has steadily improved her skills. These athletes are considered rising stars, aligning with General Decha Hemkrasri’s policy to focus on performances in this first event to give opportunities to all. Regarding medal prospects at the Asian Championship, Thai cyclists have a good chance in the mixed team relay for both the open and youth categories. All athletes, except those in the masters category, will start training from 19 January and will depart for Saudi Arabia on 2 February.
The Thai national team roster for the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championship is as follows: Men's open category: Lt. Col. Peerapol Chaochiangkwang, Sgt. Sarawut Siriranchai, Sgt. Thanakarn Chaiyasombat, Cpl. Ratchanon Yaowarat, and Baptiste (Arthit Pulard), the Thai-French cyclist. Women's open category: Sgt. Petchdarin Somrat, Sgt. Chaniporn Batriya, Ms. Kamonrada Khaoplod, and Ms. Rungnapa Kusol. Men's Under-23: Mr. Thanaphat Sakultrae, Mr. Tinpat Muangdet, and Mr. Apisit Suphan. Women's Under-23: Ms. Pithayaporn Saetan and Ms. Natcha Songken.
Youth Men: Mr. Kritphas Homkajon, Mr. Peerawat Wititpanitpan, and Mr. Patchara Sitthisamphan. Youth Women: Ms. Kawisara Amkamnerd, Ms. Phumrat Chalermkit, and Ms. Siwaporn Puttaram. Masters Women 35-39 years: Ms. Rungnapa Kusol. Masters Women 40-45 years: Lt. Col. Janpeng Nontasins. Masters Men 35-39 years: Mr. Narongdet Saengchai. Masters Men 50-54 years: Mr. Suriya Saengboon. The team management includes Coach Tum Wisut Kasiyaphat as team manager, Lt. Col. Phuchong Saiaudomsil and Mr. Li Xiao Le as coaches, Sgt. Santi Korchrat as physiotherapist, and Mr. Suriya Wongphan as team mechanic.
Sakol Aksornthanawat, director of Vajiralongkorn Dam, revealed that hosting the international mountain bike competition and the Thai National Cycling Championship has attracted numerous athletes and tourists to the dam, effectively boosting the local economy in Thong Pha Phum. The dam offers sufficient accommodations and dining services for athletes and visitors. He expressed gratitude to the Cycling Association of Thailand for choosing Vajiralongkorn Dam as the competition venue.
Sakol added that Vajiralongkorn Dam also features various attractions, including 10 popular check-in spots, Khao Laem Skywalk, a slide area, and Suan Ruamruthai Park. On 7 January, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen graciously inaugurated the Saranjit Health Park, which has become very popular with tourists and locals. This has increased visitor numbers significantly. In the future, Vajiralongkorn Dam will collaborate with the Cycling Association to host the 4th round of the 2026 Thai National BMX Championship on 20-21 June. Preparations and facilities will be enhanced to warmly welcome athletes and tourists.
For the first round of the road cycling competition, the Cycling Association registered the time trial and road race events with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as CN-level national championship races. Winners in each category earn the right to wear the Thai national champion jersey, featuring the Thai flag, when competing internationally under UCI recognition in 2025. Notable road race results are as follows.
Men's open category, 105.5 km: 1st place - Baptiste (Arthit Pulard), Thai-French rider from Roojai Insurance Winspace team, with a time of 2:27:27; 2nd - Apisit Suphan, Gemburi team, 2:27:38; 3rd - Sgt. Sarawut Siriranchai, Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence team, 2:27:45.
Men's Under-23 category, 105.5 km: 1st place - Tinpat Muangdet, Air Force Cycling Team KOM-KOM, 2:47:47; 2nd - Nattawat Mangkonwong, Air Force Cycling Team KOM-KOM, 2:47:55; 3rd - Jirant Kanthapuang, KOM-KOM team, 2:47:57.
Youth men category, 72 km: 1st place - Peerawat Wititpanitpan, Bangkok Sports School & Roojai team, 1:49:03; 2nd - Kritphas Homkajon, PUMBIKE Hopinn Specialized Lopburi team, 1:49:03; 3rd - Thannop Pandi, HEROBIKE-Phayao Pittayakom School-Phayao Sports Association team, 1:49:08.
Junior men (14-16 years), 72 km: 1st place - Watcharapong Sangkhasorn, Fisherman Friend Wing 46 Phitsanulok team, 2:02:07; 2nd - Athikun Santa, Bangkok Sports School & Roojai team, 2:08:11; 3rd - Chutiman Kaengreng, BIKENET team, 2:08:25.
Women's open category, 72 km: 1st place - Sgt. Petchdarin Somrat, Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence team, 2:08:35; 2nd - Sgt. Chaniporn Batriya, Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence team, 2:10:26; 3rd - Kamonrada Khaoplod, KOM-KOM team, 2:10:33.
Women's Under-23 category, 72 km: 1st place - Pinpak Chiangsuang, Royal Thai Navy Core Cycling team, 2:18:25.
2nd place - Natcha Songken, Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai team, 2:18:35; 3rd - Supannikar Chan, PUMBIKE Hopinn Specialized Lopburi team, 2:19:15.
Youth women category, 72 km: 1st place - Phumrat Chalermkit, Fisherman Friend Wat Dong Noi team, 2:18:30; 2nd - Kawisara Amkamnerd, Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai team, 2:18:30; 3rd - Thitirath Yongyingyuen, Lertsawin New Era Construction Materials Environment Conscious team, 2:18:43.
Additionally, the mountain bike Eliminator event at Vajiralongkorn Dam featured notable results. Men's open category champion was Sgt. Maj. Watcharakorn Onthuri from the Royal Navy Trinx Chaoyang Arisun Oko/Singburi team; 2nd place was Sgt. Poonsiri Srimongkol from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence; 3rd place was Cheng Chan Chiang, a Taiwanese cyclist from Giant Racing team.
Women's open category: 1st place - Pornpak Propthang from Chiang Khan Military Circle 28 team; 2nd - Kanokrat Rittidech from Bikenet; 3rd - Arthitaya Nuprokon from Ban Kruat Witthayakhan School team. Full results are available on the Cycling Association of Thailand's website, www.thaicycling.or.th.
The next cycling event organized by the association is the 2026 Thai National BMX Championship, competing for the Royal Trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Round 1 will take place on 24-25 January at the BMX track in Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province. Registration is open via the association’s website www.thaicycling.or.th until 22 January at 12:00 noon, or in person at the venue on 23 January from 13:00 to 17:00. Details are available on the association’s Facebook page, Thailand Cycling Association, or by calling 0-2719-3340-2 during office hours.