In a significant boost for Thai cycling, four promising athletes have been awarded funding by the Olympic Solidarity program to train at the Cycling Training Center in Switzerland, as announced by Pol. O. Desha Hemakrasri, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand.
This funding is aimed at preparing these athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. The selected athletes include "Ao" Komet Sukprasert, a BMX specialist, "Niew" Nareesatada Boonma, who competes in track cycling, and road cyclists "Tal" Komolrada Khaoplod and "Fee" Tulathorn Sotsalam. The training program will cover essential expenses, including accommodation, meals, training costs, insurance, and other necessary facilities for a period of three years.
According to Pol. O. Desha, the decision to grant this funding was based on the athletes’ dedication and the consistent performance of the Thai Cycling Association. He stated, "The Cycling Training Center has recognized the hard work and achievements of our athletes throughout the year. Komet has won the Asian championship three years in a row and has qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in France. Nareesatada has also excelled, winning a silver medal at the 2024 Youth World Championships in China and a gold in the youth keirin event at the 2024 Asian Championships in India. Komolrada and Tulathorn have also shown remarkable performances in various international competitions."
In addition to this exciting news, the Thai cycling community is gearing up for the "Tour of Thailand 2025," an international cycling event scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 2, 2025. This year, the competition will feature a women’s team category and will cover a total distance of 263.70 kilometers over three stages. The event will be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Kanittha, and it promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent.
As the teams prepare for the competition, a meeting for team managers was held to outline the rules and regulations for the 19 participating teams. Among the Thai cyclists competing will be "Bee" Juthathip Maneephan, who rides for the professional team Thailand Women’s Cycling, alongside teammates "Prae" Phet Darin Somrat, "Jan" Janthapeng Nontasrin, "Kai" Supakorn Nantanah, and "Beam" Chaniporn Butriya. The Thai national team will also be represented by Komolrada and her fellow teammates.
"Bee" Juthathip expressed her determination, stating, "The weather in Sa Kaeo is quite hot, and we have already scouted and trained on the competition route. We have faced tough challenges since the Asian Cycling Championships in February and then the Biwase Cup in Vietnam. Although I have some minor injuries, I will give my best to fight for all Thai fans!"
"Prae" Phet Darin added, "After the Asian Championships, we went directly to the Biwase Cup, which has left us a bit fatigued. We only had a week to recover, but I’m feeling much better now. We have prepared several race strategies, including breaking away early or finishing strong with a sprint. We’ll see how each day unfolds and adjust our plans accordingly."
For the women’s team category, 19 teams will be competing, including four teams from Thailand: Thailand Women’s Cycling, the Thai national team, Fisherman's Friend, and Prime 19, which features young cycling talents. Additionally, professional teams from the Philippines, China, Australia, and several national teams from Southeast Asia will participate, promising a competitive atmosphere.
The first stage of the "Tour of Thailand 2025" will kick off on March 31, with an opening ceremony at 8:00 AM, officiated by Pol. Gen. Yingyot Thepjamnong, Commander of the Provincial Police Region 2. The race will start from the front of Aranyaprathet Municipality, passing through various landmarks, and concluding at the provincial administration of Sa Kaeo, covering a total distance of 87.90 kilometers. Thai PBS will broadcast the event live on their Facebook page and YouTube channel starting at 8:50 AM.
With the support from the Olympic Solidarity and the upcoming Tour of Thailand, the future looks bright for Thai cycling as these athletes aim to make their mark on the world stage.
