Hong Kong cyclists storm to Tour of Thailand glory, as Australian coach makes golden start
Hong Kong road endurance coach Ben Kersten has overseen the first triumph of his reign, after the city's women's team won the three-day Tour of Thailand.
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Star athlete Ceci Lee Sze-wing was second in the individual race, behind fourth-time winner Jutatip Maneephan. Lee claimed the white jersey awarded to the best young rider.
Kersten, the former Australian Cycling Academy managing director, was appointed last month. Soon after, he led a six-strong men's contingent to the five-stage Tour of Taiwan, where 70th-placed Cheung Shi-ho was Hong Kong's best performer.
In Thailand, however, Australian Kersten masterminded success for the quintet of Lee, Leung Wing-yee, Leung Bo-yee, Yang Qianyu and Kwan Tsz-kwan.
'It's a positive start for Ben with Hong Kong … it's his first time with the women's team, he's an experienced coach, and he gave them good plans and a lot of confidence,' said Herve Dagorne, the Hong Kong head coach, who had sought reassurances before his team travelled on the situation in Thailand following last week's deadly earthquake in the country.
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'On every stage, the team worked very hard together and followed the strategy, so it's encouraging for [November's] National Games, when the race will also be flat. It's good for the team's morale – they will come back feeling confident.'
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