"Sergeant Major Muek" reveals Thailand has secured 2 quotas to compete in the Track Cycling World Championships and is preparing to tour to earn points for the Olympics in the future.
Thailand’s cycling team performed excellently, securing rights to compete in two events at the 2026 Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China: the men's team sprint and the men's 1 km time trial. "Sergeant Major Muek," General Decha Hemkrasri, revealed plans to build on results from the 20th Asian Games in Japan and continue collecting points to vie for the 2028 Olympic quotas. However, he acknowledged that competing to accumulate points throughout 2027 requires substantial funding, and a lack of budget support could certainly impact the Thai cyclists' chances of qualifying.
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, disclosed that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced the quota places for the 2026 UCI Track World Championships scheduled from 14-18 October 2026 at the Velodrome in Shanghai, China. Thailand secured two event entries: men's team sprint and men's 1 km individual time trial, based on the men's team sprint ranking of 15th in the world standings.
General Decha stated that the 2026 Track World Championships will follow directly after the track cycling events at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. The Thai men's sprint cycling team, consisting of "TJ" Jai Angsuthasawit, "Nao" Police Senior Sergeant Norasetthada Bunma, and "Makham" Police Senior Sergeant Yuenyong Petchrat, is scheduled to compete in three events at the Asian Games: team sprint, keirin, and individual sprint from 29 September to 2 October.
"Based on the Asian Games and World Championships schedules, the Cycling Association has planned preparations for the World Championships accordingly. After the Asian Games conclude, the sprint team members Jai, Norasetthada, and Yuenyong will return to Thailand to continue training in preparation for the World Championships. Lieutenant Colonel Juthathip Maneepun will take on the role of team manager and head coach for the first time, with Mr. Nathat Nakomnee as the team mechanic. The Thai team is set to travel to Shanghai on 9 October, aligning with the official track cycling training days from 10 to 13 October," General Decha said.
"Sergeant Major Muek" added that the men's team sprint securing a spot at the 2026 Track Cycling World Championships is an excellent opportunity to start accumulating points for qualification to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. The team sprint is one of six Olympic medal events, with only the top 8 teams by accumulated points qualifying for the Olympics. Only points earned from the Track World Championships, Track World Cups, and Continental Championships contribute to this Olympic ranking.
The cycling association president further explained that if Thailand ranks among the top 8 teams in Olympic qualification points by April 2027 in the team sprint, it will not only secure the right to compete in the team sprint at the Los Angeles Games but also gain special entries in two additional events: keirin and individual sprint. However, he acknowledged this path is challenging, as only 8 nations can earn team sprint quotas for the Olympics.
General Decha expressed concerns about implementing the Olympic qualification points accumulation plan. Cycling includes four disciplines: road, track, mountain biking, and BMX racing. National teams mainly focus on accumulating world ranking points for Olympic qualification, while Continental Championship quotas—offered only in road, mountain biking, and BMX racing—are limited to 1-2 spots per category. Thus, traveling worldwide to earn ranking points is essential. Last year, the Cycling Association faced budget shortages, directly affecting the Thai team's chances to accumulate world points and qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
"The year 2027 is crucial for accumulating world ranking points for Olympic qualification, including Continental Championships in road, mountain biking, and BMX racing. If budget support for sending athletes to international competitions remains problematic as last year, Thailand’s chances to qualify for the 2028 Olympics will decline. This is regrettable because Thai cycling has advanced enough to qualify in three disciplines—road, track, and BMX racing—at the 2024 Olympics, attracting attention from major Asian cycling powers. There is concern that Thailand’s cycling development may regress," General Decha concluded.