Yang Qianyu takes 7th gold for Hong Kong in women’s cycling road race

Hong Kong cyclist Yang Qianyu took gold in the women’s road race on Wednesday, holding off South Korean rider Na Ahreum by a tight margin.

The medal was Hong Kong's 7th gold and 47th overall at this year's Games, renewing the city’s record of 46 won at the 2018 Games in Jakarta.

Yang and defending gold medalist Na Ahreum both recorded a time of 3 hours 36 minutes and seven seconds as they crossed the finish line, with the gold medal later awarded to the Hong Kong cyclist after a delay to the announcement to confirm the final results.

The two cyclists broke away from the peloton with 13.8km of the 139.7km race still remaining and were caught up during the last kilometer, with Yang first to cross the finish line in a mass sprint finish.

With as many as 18 riders chasing the pair, the race for bronze was just as tight, with Thailand's Jutatip Maneephan claiming the medal. Meanwhile, Ceci Lee Sze-wing, who had been the Hong Kong cyclist expected to push for a podium finish, came home in eighth.

The gold medal is Yang's third medal at the Asiad, having won a silver in the Madison event in the Velodrome and a bronze in team pursuit last week.

"I feel...it feels like I'm dreaming. All I can say is that, my sporting career is now complete," the 30-year-old Yang, making her last appearance at an Asian Games, told HOY TV after the race.

"If you say the first day's team pursuit, we were giving it a try, then [for the Madison] on the second day, we were prepared. For today, I feel my life is complete." Yang added, overwhelmed with emotions.
 

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