Malaysia has unveiled its cycling program for the 34th SEA Games, increasing track cycling medal events while reducing mountain bike and BMX medals.
Malaysia has announced it will host cycling competitions in all four disciplines at the 34th SEA Games in 2027. They may increase the number of track cycling gold medal events, as Malaysian cyclists have shown greater development than other nations, supported by a new 250-meter indoor velodrome. Some mountain bike and BMX events may be cut. Meanwhile, three Thai short-track cyclists—Jai, Norsetthada, and Yuenyong—will continue pursuing world ranking points at the 2026 UCI Track World Cup in Malaysia from 24-26 April.
Lieutenant 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 at last week's SEA Games Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, led by Lt Col Akachai Sirivat, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, preparations for the 34th SEA Games in Malaysia in 2027 were confirmed. Cycling competitions will include all four disciplines: road, track, mountain bike, and BMX racing.
Lieutenant General Decha said Malaysia confirmed it would hold competitions across all four disciplines. Details of events per discipline will be officially announced to all nations in July 2026. Malaysia expressed intent to increase track cycling medal events due to the stronger development of their track cyclists compared to other ASEAN countries in both sprint and middle-distance track events.
Lieutenant General Decha added that Malaysia is expected to include no fewer than 14 gold medals in track cycling at the 34th SEA Games, especially in sprint events where their progress clearly surpasses other ASEAN nations. This follows the opening of the Nilai Velodrome, a 250-meter indoor climate-controlled track. In the 29th SEA Games, Malaysia’s track cycling team won 11 out of 13 gold medals, missing only the men’s and women’s omnium events, which were won by Singaporean cyclists Staff Sergeant Jutatip Maneepun and Calvin Sim.
Lieutenant General Decha continued that for other cycling disciplines, Malaysia is likely to include main events: for road cycling, men’s and women’s individual road race and time trial, possibly adding men’s team time trial and men’s and women’s criterium. For mountain biking, cross-country Olympic events for men and women will be included, with potential addition of cross-country eliminator events for men and women. Downhill events may be excluded due to Malaysia’s lower athlete competitiveness compared to Thai and Indonesian cyclists. In BMX racing, only men’s and women’s BMX racing gold medals may remain, with the time trial events removed.
“However, given Malaysia’s hosting nine years ago, the Cycling Association of Thailand has continuously developed track cyclists in both sprint and middle-distance events, especially focusing on youth development. Thai track cyclists have steadily improved despite limited training facilities, still using a 333.33-meter outdoor velodrome, whereas Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have 250-meter indoor velodromes, which are the current international and world standards. We are confident that with the preparation time until the 34th SEA Games, the Thai cycling team will meet their performance goals,” Lieutenant General Decha stated.
Additionally, Lieutenant General Decha revealed that Thailand’s national short track cycling team—Staff Sergeant Yuenyong Phetcharat, Jai Angsuthasawit, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Norsetthada Boonma—will compete in the third round of the 2026 UCI Track World Cup at the Nilai Velodrome in Malaysia from 24 to 26 April. This event is crucial for accumulating points to qualify for the 2026 UCI Track World Championships and the 2028 Summer Olympics. On 24 April, they will compete in the team sprint (Yuenyong, Jai, and Norsetthada); on 25 April, in the keirin (Jai and Norsetthada); and on 26 April, in the individual sprint (Jai and Norsetthada).