The cycling team is moving ahead without delay in preparing for the Asian Games, setting a goal to finish in the top three in every event entered. They have secured a skilled mountain bike coach to address weaknesses.
The cycling team is actively planning athlete preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Japan. "Sergeant Muek" revealed they have hired professional mountain bike coach Mr. Robert Macalintal Herber Jr., who will fix weaknesses in cross-country cyclists. For other events, the goal is top three placements. In BMX, they hope for medals from Gometh Sukprasert, while track cycling hopes rest on Jai Angsuthasawit in keirin and sprint team events. On the men's road, hopes lie with Arthit Pollard, a Thai-French rider, and on the women's road with Petchdarint Somraj and Jutatip Maneephan. The 67th anniversary of the Thai Cycling Association was celebrated with many sports figures attending. Professor (Special) Charoen Watthanasin, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, praised Sergeant Muek as a true sports administrator who has propelled cycling to the forefront in Asia.
"Sergeant Muek," General Decha Hemkrasri, Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), President of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Thai Cycling Association under Royal Patronage, chaired the 67th anniversary celebration of the Thai Cycling Association on 26 February 2026 at the Velodrome, Sports Authority of Thailand, Huamark, Bangkok. At 09:39 a.m., General Decha led the association's executive committee and senior sports figures in a ceremony honoring the Buddha of Victory, the revered Buddha statue at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), as well as the Great Brahma and Phumichai Mongkol at the shrine in front of the SAT headquarters, sacred symbols respected by the SAT community and sports associations.
At 10:09 a.m., General Decha and the executive committee paid respects to the statues of Professor Seri Trirat, the father of Thai cycling, and the late Preeda Julamonthol, the Asian Games gold medal king from the 5th Asian Games. At 10:20 a.m., a Buddhist ceremony was held, led by Phra Phrom Wachiranuwat (Athon Intapanyo), abbot of Wat Bophitphimuk Worawihan and advisor to the 3rd Regional Sangha. The monks chanted prayers, and the association's executives offered alms, food, and religious offerings to the monks. A merit dedication ceremony honored six former presidents of the Thai Cycling Association: Police Lieutenant General Tosak Yomnark, Mr. Seranee Jinwala, Mr. Seri Trirat, Mr. Pornsek Kanchanajari, General Yutthana Khumdee, and Air Marshal Chanin Chantrubeksa, along with former association executives, past national athletes, and other deceased figures related to cycling. Afterwards, the chairman and attendees offered food to the monks.
The anniversary event of the Thai Cycling Association was attended by numerous sports figures and representatives from various sports associations offering congratulations, including Assistant Professor Pimol Srivikrom, Chairperson of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand; Professor (Special) Charoen Watthanasin, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand; Dr. Warin Tansuphasiri, former Vice President of the National Olympic Committee; Mr. Preecha Lalun, Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand; Mr. Somporn Chaibangyang, President of the Volleyball Association of Thailand; as well as representatives from military, police, government agencies, and private companies. They all came to support General Decha for his dedication and development of Thai cycling into one of Asia's leading sports.
Professor (Special) Charoen Watthanasin, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, expressed his respect for several sports association administrators, particularly General Decha Hemkrasri, president of the Cycling Association. He said General Decha is a person who truly works for sports and has advanced cycling to a leading position in Asia. He noted the association's office has statues of Professor Seri Trirat, the father of Thai cycling, and Preeda Julamonthol, the Asian Games gold medal king—something no other association has done. This honors historical figures, which is a practice sports should adopt. He stated sincerely that General Decha is a true sports administrator working for the sport itself.
General Decha revealed that the day marks the 67th anniversary of the Thai Cycling Association, founded in 1959. The association has continuously achieved results since the era of Preeda Julamonthol, who won four gold medals at the 5th Asian Games and seven gold medals at the 4th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games. The association has steadily developed athletes and has never disappointed the public in events like the SEA Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games. Looking ahead, the imminent plan is for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October. The association will begin athlete training camps starting 1 March as mandated by the Sports Authority of Thailand, continuing through September.
General Decha said that each cycling discipline's athletes will train separately. For mountain biking, they are fortunate to have Mr. Robert Macalintal Herber Jr., a professional American-Filipino coach with Level 3 certification. Despite his high salary, the Cycling Association is willing to pay above the Sports Authority's approval to address weaknesses in cross-country mountain biking. Mr. Robert will attend the 2026 Thailand Mountain Bike Championships, round 3, from 6-8 March at Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality, Phatthana Nikhom District, Lopburi Province, to assess athlete performance and identify areas for improvement.
"For other disciplines—road, BMX, and track—we continue with the athletes and coaching staff from the 33rd SEA Games. The Cycling Association has informed the Sports Authority that the goal is for athletes to finish at least in the top three in their events. In BMX, we hope for medals from Captain Gometh Sukprasert and Mr. Phutthapoom Nakpaen, though strong competition comes from Japanese riders, the host nation. On the track, hopes rest on Jai Angsuthasawit in keirin and team sprint, also with tough Japanese rivals. On the men's road, hopes are placed on Mr. Arthit Pollard, a Thai-French rider. For the women's road, hopes are with Captain Petchdarint Somraj and Lieutenant Jutatip Maneephan. We earnestly hope Thai people will support our cyclists as they fight for the nation's honor. All athletes will do their best," General Decha said.
Additionally, General Decha mentioned the international long-distance cycling race, "Tour of Thailand 2026." The Cycling Association recently held a meeting with Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces on 24 February. The men's category will feature 20 professional teams, and the women's category will also have 20 teams, including professional and national squads. The race route is very scenic, with some stages finishing at Phu Phloi Lom, offering a great opportunity for Thai cyclists to win stages. Thai athlete Captain Sarawut Sirironnachai previously won gold in the road race at the 33rd SEA Games, climbing Khao Kheow Reporting Station within Khao Yai National Park. The public in Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces are invited to support the athletes, and nationwide viewers can watch live broadcasts on Facebook Live and ThaiPBS's YouTube channel.