Athit, a Thai-French cyclist, has been selected for the Thai national team for the first time in his life, aiming to win medals at the Asian Road Cycling Championships.
On 22 January 2026, Athit Pullard, a Thai-French cyclist, hopes to win medals at the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia from 5 to 11 February, bringing honor to Thailand. Meanwhile, "Sergeant Major Muek" expressed satisfaction with several new cyclists joining the national team after the Thailand Cycling Association held the first round of the national championships, which went exactly as planned.
"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 Thailand Cycling Association under Royal Patronage, revealed that the association is preparing to send the Thai national cycling team to compete in the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia from 5 to 11 February. The association has completed athlete selection, assigning "Coach Tum" Wisut Kasiyaphat, Vice President of Technical Affairs and head coach of the Thai national team, along with his staff, to review cyclists with outstanding performances from the first round of the Thailand Road Cycling Championships for the King Bhumibol Trophy 2026 at Vajiralongkorn Dam, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, held 16-18 January.
General Decha stated that from the first round of the national championships, several athletes performed very well, especially Athit, also known as Baptiste Pullard, a Thai-French cyclist who won the men's open category in both the time trial and road race events. Additionally, young male and female cyclists also performed well, such as Kritphas Homkajorn, Peerawat Wititponitphan in the male youth category, and Kwisara Amkarn, Phumrat Chalermkit, and Siwaporn Phuttharam in the female youth category. This was a satisfying outcome as the Thailand Cycling Association successfully identified many rising stars to strengthen the national team, in line with the strategic plan.
Sergeant Major Muek added that after selecting the athletes, training camp began immediately on 19 January at Wang Yao Riverside Resort in Nakhon Nayok Province, supervised by Group Captain Phuchong Saiaudomsil and coach Li Xiao Le. Coach Phuchong planned training rides up Khao Yai, the same route used in the 33rd SEA Games, to build strength. They also fully applied sports science. He encouraged all athletes to perform their best for Thailand’s honor and personal pride, asking Thai people to support the cyclists.
Coach Bas said all athletes are in good health with no injuries or illnesses. Recently, he brought them for fitness testing at the Sports Science Center of the Sports Authority of Thailand. The fitness of the open category cyclists is about 60-70% as they reached peak condition during the SEA Games and are now regaining fitness. The under-23 and youth categories are in very good shape. He expects medals from the time trial, road race, and mixed team time trial relay events for youth categories, where they won bronze last year. Athit Pullard, the Thai-French cyclist, is also likely to win a medal as he is in peak physical condition, having not competed in the SEA Games.
Athit, also known as Baptiste Pullard, said he was very happy to win at the first round of the Thailand Road Cycling Championships in Thong Pha Phum. Before the race, he felt considerable pressure since it was his first competition in Thailand and the hot weather and new environment were challenging. He did not know the other cyclists and had to learn and adapt quickly. Knowing everyone was strong, winning first place in both events and wearing the champion’s jersey made him very proud, demonstrating his potential despite the hot conditions.
Athit added that being called by the Thailand Cycling Association to join the national team for the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia made him very happy and motivated to win medals for himself and Thailand. Before competing in Thong Pha Phum, he trained intensively since November last year and arrived in Thailand in December. It was a tough period because the French season starts in February, but he had to accelerate training to be ready for the first round, adapting quickly. Nevertheless, everything went well.
The Thai national team members include: Men's open category – Group Captain Peeraphon Chaochiangkwang, Sergeant Sarawut Sirironchai, Sergeant Thanakan Chaiyasombat, Corporal Ratchanon Yaowarat, and Athit (Baptiste Pullard), Thai-French cyclist; Women's open category – Sergeant Major Female Petchdarin Somraj, Sergeant Female Chaniporn Battriya, Kamonrada Khaoplad, Rungnapa Kusol; Under-23 men – Thanaphat Sakultrae, Tinpat Muangdet, Apisit Suphan; Under-23 women – Pithayaporn Saetan, Natcha Songken.
Youth men – Kritphas Homkajorn, Peerawat Wititponitphan, Patchara Sitthisampan; Youth women – Kwisara Amkarn, Phumrat Chalermkit, Siwaporn Phuttharam; Masters women 35-39 – Rungnapa Kusol; Masters women 40-45 – Lieutenant Colonel Female Janpeng Nantasin; Masters men 35-39 – Narongdet Saengchai; Masters men 50-54 – Suriya Saengbun. The team manager is Coach Tum Wisut Kasiyaphat; coaches include Group Captain Phuchong Saiaudomsil and Li Xiao Le; physical therapist is Sergeant Major Santi Kotcharat; and mechanic is Suriya Wongpan.