Aung Myo Naing (right) celebrates after being named the best cyclist in the men’s competition, while Thandar Kyaw (centre) took out the women’s title.

STRONG headwinds are the bane of cyclists everywhere but 24-year-old Aung Myo Naing didn’t let the resistance of a robust southeasterly breeze deter him from taking victory in the 100-kilometre (60-mile) Htaukkyant-Bago-Htaukkyant Road Race on June 14.

Fourteen cyclists took part in the road race, departing Htaukkyant at 6:30am. Just minutes into the race, Aung Myo Naing broke clear of the field, along with two other riders from his Customs (Ministry of Finance and Revenue) team – Myint Aye and Kyaw Myo Hlaing – and Aung Phyoe Wai from the Maxxis team.

The tailwind that aided the riders on their way to Bago became a liability after the halfway point, particularly for the weaker riders who had been left in the wake of the breakaway group.

While Aung Myo Naing, Myint Aye, Aung Phyoe Wai and Kyaw Myo Hlaing tucked into aerodynamic positions and powered through the final 50 kilometres back to the Htaukkyant – eventually finishing in that order in a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes – the rest of the riders were left floundering.

Seven competitors dropped out due to the unfavourable conditions, while the remaining three – Zeya Win (Yangon Division), Myo Lwin (Customs) and Pho Phyae (Yangon Division) – crossed the line a full 29 minutes behind the lead pack.

The road race was part of the 55th National Championship and Cycling Federation President’s Championship, which also consisted of track races at Thuwanna Stadium on July 13 and 16.

Track events included the men’s 1000-metre individual time trial, which Aung Myo Naing also won, in a time of 1 minute, 20.16 seconds. Myint Aye took victory in the men’s 4000-metre individual pursuit (5 minutes, 45.73 seconds), while Customs won the men’s 4000-metre team pursuit by 36 seconds over Maxxis.

In the women’s division, Thandar Kyaw (South Dagon) won the 500-metre individual time trial with a time of 50.13 seconds. She also came out on top in the 3000-metre individual pursuit. The women’s 4800-metre massed start race was won by Khin Kyu Nwe (Magwe Division) in a time of 8 minutes and 57.54 seconds.

When the three days of racing were over, Aung Myo Naing was declared the best cyclist in the men’s competition, while the top woman was Thandar Kyaw. The President’s Trophy was awarded to the Customs team.