Foreign coach confident Thai mountain bikers have strong potential and are developing skills to compete in the Asian Games.
Robert Herber Jr., a top-level UCI mountain bike coach, stated that Thai cyclists have high potential and he is confident they can improve to compete in the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Meanwhile, national cyclists Polchat Nakthongkham, Pongpira Pongayukul, and Phumrat Chalermkit performed excellently, winning championships at the third stage of the 2026 Thai Mountain Bike Championship for the Royal Trophy at Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality in Phatthananikom District, Lopburi Province. Thap Sai Subdistrict Municipality, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, is set to host the fourth stage from 24-26 April 2026.
The third stage of the 2026 Thai Road and Mountain Bike Championships for the King Bhumibol Royal Trophy took place from 6-8 March 2026 at Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality, Phatthananikom District, Lopburi Province. The mountain bike cross-country opening ceremony on 7 March was held at the multipurpose area near the Khao Phraya Dern Thong viewpoint, chaired by Lieutenant Commander Songpol Paenkaew, Deputy Governor of Lopburi Province, with attendance by General Weerakul Thongma, Vice President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, Colonel Sunthorn Samritsuthit, advisor to the Cycling Association, District Chief Thanat Ajinkit, Mayor Surasak Jermsombat of Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality, and other officials.
The ceremony also included handing over the symbolic flag for hosting the Thai Road and Mountain Bike Championships for the Royal Trophy to Thap Sai Subdistrict Municipality, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, which will host the fourth stage. Mayor Kasem Kasemsri and Deputy Mayor Wanchai Kasornsuwan received the flag. The fourth stage will be held from 24-26 April 2026, with the road cycling route within Pong Nam Ron District and the mountain bike route around the Khlong Phra Phut Reservoir.
After the opening, Lieutenant Commander Songpol Paenkaew, Deputy Governor of Lopburi Province, said today's event had a lively atmosphere. The mountain bike course is up to standard and very challenging for cyclists, while the road cycling route finishes at the summit of Khao Phraya Dern Thong, requiring great strength and skill. Cycling also promotes tourism effectively. Hosting the event in Phatthananikom District attracts athletes and tourists, boosting the local economy and tourism, with community participation.
Kasem Kasemsri, Mayor of Thap Sai Subdistrict Municipality, said the municipality held meetings with Chanthaburi Province to prepare for hosting the fourth stage. The road cycling route covers Pong Nam Ron and parts of Soi Dao Districts, featuring beautiful and enjoyable paths. The mountain bike course at Khlong Phra Phut Reservoir meets international standards and has hosted international competitions before. It remains a challenging and one of the best courses in Thailand. Locals of Pong Nam Ron warmly welcome the athletes expected to exceed 1,000 participants, with sufficient hotels and resorts for accommodation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Robert Herber Jr., an American coach who completed the highest Level 4 certification from the Asian Cycling Confederation (UCI), and employed by the Cycling Association of Thailand to prepare the national team for the 20th Asian Games in Japan, attended to observe the athletes' performances at Khao Phraya Dern Thong. He said he believes Thai cyclists have great potential, are hardworking and focused, and that they can be further developed. He noted the course is quite rocky and rough, with one cyclist showing high speed. Each lap takes about 11 minutes, making it a relatively fast course.
"I have already received the athletes' fitness test programs. Going forward, I will design appropriate training plans, analyze their strengths and areas for improvement, and work to develop both. From what I have seen so far, the Cycling Association of Thailand is well organized, providing excellent hospitality and efficient management. Whether the Thai national team will win medals at the Asian Games, I cannot say yet, as I have only observed two days of training and competition. But I am confident the athletes can progress significantly," Mr. Robert said.
Results of notable categories in the mountain bike cross-country races are as follows: In the men's open category (21 km), first place went to Polchat Nakthongkham, a Thai national team member preparing for the 20th Asian Games, from the Air Force Cycling Team KOM-KOM with a time of 1:06:12 hours; second place to Sergeant Major Punsiri Sirimongkol from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Defense with 1:06:16; and third place to Pongpira Pongayukul from Club Mamui Nakhon Sawan-Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai with 1:09:30.
In the men’s under-23 category (21 km), first place was Pongpira Pongayukul, a national team member preparing for the 20th Asian Games, from Club Mamui Nakhon Sawan-Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai with a time of 1:09:30; second place to Worapong Muangsuk from the Navy Team with 1:13:21; and third place to Put Andreas Supawongwatthana from Lomocycle Core Nutrition Team with 1:16:24.
In the women’s open category (14 km), first place was Pinpak Chiang Suan from Royal Thai Navy Core Cycling with 1:01:04; second place Pornpak Praphohtang from Chiang Khan MT 28 with 1:01:31; and third place Kingkan Narong from Prim19 with 1:04:37.
In the women’s under-23 category (14 km), first place was Pinpak Chiang Suan from Royal Thai Navy Core Cycling with 1:01:04; second place Pornpak Praphohtang from Chiang Khan MT 28 with 1:01:31.
In the girls’ youth category (10.05 km), first place went to Phumrat Chalermkit, a national team member preparing for the 20th Asian Games, from Fisherman Friend Wat Dong Noi Team with a time of 50:01 minutes; second place to Plaifa Kotosi from BIKE NET Team with 53:20 minutes. Complete results are available on the Cycling Association of Thailand website at www.thaicycling.or.th.
On the same afternoon, a "Bike for Life - TCA GREEN CYCLING" health cycling event took place in front of Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality. This was a collaboration between the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Cycling Association of Thailand, Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality, and Lopburi Province. The ceremony was chaired by Lieutenant Commander Songpol Paenkaew, Deputy Governor of Lopburi, with Mayor Surasak Jermsombat of Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality also attending. The 6 km route within the municipality attracted nearly 500 cyclists from the public and Lopburi cycling clubs.
The "Bike for Life - TCA GREEN CYCLING" event is a green sports activity focusing on environmental protection, pollution reduction, and combating global warming, supporting government policies by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The Cycling Association also held an exhibition on safe cycling, distributing blinking lights and reflective signs labeled “Ride Safely, Care for Fellow Travelers” to participants to attach under bike seats to help reduce accidents. Additionally, the association and ThaiHealth jointly campaigned against electronic cigarette use, which is spreading among youth, by providing informational exhibits on the dangers of e-cigarettes to the cyclists.
Meanwhile, the Cycling Association opened a free bicycle repair clinic, allowing the public to bring old bikes for restoration, promoting cost savings aligned with King Rama IX's "Sufficiency Economy Philosophy." There was also a contest for beautifully decorated economical bicycles, an antique bicycle contest, and awards given to the oldest and youngest participants, both male and female.
The oldest male cyclist was Mr. Jamnong Pothisom, aged 81, who received an honorary trophy from General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand. The oldest female cyclist was Mrs. Noi Onsanthia, aged 63, awarded a trophy from Major General Pusit Fuangfoo, Vice President of the Cycling Association. The youngest male cyclist was Master Natthaphan Henchatruat, aged 5, who received a trophy from Mr. Somsak Phaniangthong, Vice President of the Cycling Association. The youngest female cyclist was Miss Rida Pongtee, aged 6, awarded a trophy by Navy Captain Thitiporn Noirak, Secretary-General of the Cycling Association.
In the economical bicycle decoration contest, the winner was Lieutenant Somnuek Punpanya, who received an honorary trophy from General Decha Hemkrasri; second place went to Mr. Som Sangkaphim, awarded by Mr. Ekachai Sewatsompop, Vice President of the Cycling Association; third place was Ms. Intima Chairat, awarded by Mr. Prathan Chaiprasit, Vice President. In the antique bicycle contest, first place went to Mr. Sangsorn Boonprasert, receiving a trophy from General Decha Hemkrasri; second place to Master Phubodin Kamchan, awarded by General Weerakul Thongma, Vice President.
On Sunday, 8 March, the road cycling race, the Road Race event, will begin at 08:00 hrs, starting from the front of Khao Phraya Dern Thong Municipality to the 270-degree viewpoint at the summit, covering 70 km, except for the men's open and under-23 categories which cover 114 km. The opening ceremony at 07:30 hrs will be chaired by Lieutenant Commander Songpol Paenkaew, Deputy Governor of Lopburi Province. The event will be live-streamed on the Thailand Cycling Association Facebook page and the TCA Channel YouTube from 07:30 hrs. Additionally, there will be a mountain bike eliminator race starting at 10:00 hrs at the base of the viewpoint, covering 630 meters.