In the latest cycling event in Kampong Chhnang province, 95 cyclists took on a challenging course, overseen by the technical officer of the Cambodian Cycling Federation (CCF). To ensure safety, 26 motorbikes cleared the road, with Phnom Trok providing an exciting backdrop.

During the National Cycling Championships from January 5-8, innovative changes were showcased.

The federation applied the 80 per cent formula of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for the first time, aiming to meet international standards. This formula involves assessing cyclists’ duration and speed to eliminate trailing riders in each race round. 

Sem Buthdy, Cambodia’s only UCI-certified international competition commissioner, explained its importance for standardisation and high-quality competitions, both in terms of the competition and organisation.

“In the SEA Games and other UCI-coordinated international events, the 80 per cent formula prevents rider complaints about disturbances or road blockages. This ensures high-capacity riders navigate the course smoothly, eliminating complaints,” Buthdy says. 

He says that introducing the formula in Cambodian competitions motivates athletes, enhances the expertise of the federation’s technical officers and provides an accurate method for measuring time and speed, despite currently lacking an international standard time-check speed machine.

“I believe that including the formula is crucial for local competitions. It inspires athletes to boost their capabilities, raising our game to international standards. Additionally, it contributes to the skill development of our technical officials, empowering them for future international competitions, including the journey to host the Asian Youth Games in Cambodia in 2029,” he says.

Exclusive formula

In the 2023 National Cycling Championships, the CCF applied the formula exclusively to mountain biking. The events included six rounds of Men Elite’s MTB-XCO, five for Men’s Juniors and four each for Men’s Masters and Women’s MTB-XCO. While many athletes were affected by the new formula, the federation chose not to impose fines or penalties.

However, the Men’s Junior Road Bike, Elite Road Bike and Masters Road Bike events did not apply this formula. The decision stemmed from the flat race format featured in this year’s national cycling championship, which differs from the usual round-based racing structure.

Nou Chamroeun, secretary-general of the CCF, suggests that Cambodia adopt the formula in all upcoming competitions. This measure is essential to enhance the quality of cyclists, ensuring that the skill levels among them are not too much different from each other. By implementing this approach, victorious cyclists will genuinely take pride in their abilities, motivating those who were cut to work hard towards strengthening their skills.

Implementing the 80 per cent formula is a pivotal move for the cycling federation to boost competition quality and sportsmanship. This includes organising racing courses, ensuring proper equipment for interviews during races, efficient water distribution, and designated areas for water bottle disposal. The federation actively uses cars for water distribution and equipment transportation, barring motorcycles to prevent disturbances during races.

Significant cycling strides

Chamroeun highlights this as a significant development in organising cycling competitions in Cambodia. Recognition by the UCI and inclusion in the official list of the International Cycling Federation will enable national athletes to be ranked globally, marking a notable achievement.

“The formula serves to educate athletes, clubs and associations within our federation’s jurisdiction on the rules and conditions of international standard competitions. Once they grasp these, we move forward to register our competitions in the UCI programme for recognition, a process that can extend over two to three years,” he explains.

“Upon UCI recognition of our competitions, athletes earn points based on their performance, contributing to their continuous inclusion in world rankings. However, currently, we can’t list our matches in the UCI programme. Mistakes by our athletes or violations by the club may lead to significant fines, and UCI might even consider the suspension or closure of the club,” he notes.

Chamroeun stresses the need to register local competitions with the UCI. The CCF holds full membership with the UCI, placing it in Zone 4 alongside Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Timor-Leste. Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia form Zone 3. 

This initiative aims to help local athletes obtain more recognised competency cards from the UCI, allowing them to accumulate additional points. 

Broadening opportunities

“Our goal is to broaden the opportunity for a wider range of our athletes, beyond just national athletes and top performers, to earn points through UCI-recognised competitions. Accumulating these points is crucial, opening the possibility for our athletes to qualify for the International Olympic Games when they meet UCI requirements,” Chamroeun explains.

He mentions that clubs and associations under the federation are actively working on adopting a more modern leadership approach. The competition among these clubs, which used to vary significantly, has now levelled out, with comparable high-quality bikes and talented athletes. The federation’s implementation of the formula aims to further enhance the competitiveness of each club, and of the Kingdom’s national teams.

Additionally, corporate sponsors contributed $42,750 to the 2023 National Cycling Championships and have committed to continued support for the CCF in future national competitions.

This donation will strengthen the federation’s ability to train additional resources, assisting in preparations for the 2029 Asian Youth Games.

“In the upcoming competitions, I foresee no single club significantly outshining others in winning gold medals. Every club will be striving for excellence, and even the less successful ones will compete fiercely for the top spot with dedicated efforts. 

“Our sponsors have pledged ongoing support to improve the quality and standardisation of our national competitions. This significant contribution plays a crucial role in strengthening our resources, both athletes and technical officials, as we work towards hosting the 2029 Asian Youth Games,” says Chamroeun.