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Asian Games cycling road races need more riders-UCI president
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-07 10:05

In order to enhance the competitiveness of the sport, the Asian Games road cycling races need more cyclists per team to participate in, said the Union Cyclist International (UCI) president Pat McQuaid here on Wednesday.

"My only comment on the road races is the size of the teams. They are too small, they allow only two riders," said McQuaid.

The UCI president acknowledged that the Asian Games has a policy of limiting the NOC to two athletes in order to give others a chance.

"I know they allow two riders as for the other sports. They want only two athletes so the events are not to be dominated by one country," added McQuaid.

However, McQuaid saw limiting only two riders from one team was a backdraw for the road races in the Asian Games.

"In cycling you need more than two riders, it is too few for a country. Compared with other sports, cycling misses out when limiting to two cyclists," said McQuaid.

While hoping for more riders, McQuaid did not forget to give praise to the ongoing Asian Games.

"The racing has been good. The race on Sunday was very hard with strong winds. With those conditions the stronger men did come to the fore and they did well," added McQuaid.