Hong Kong cycling star Ceci Lee claims double wins after mental transformation
Herve Dagorne said star rider Ceci Lee Sze-wing's twin National Road Championships triumph this weekend highlighted the 24-year-old's psychological transformation over the past 12 months.
The irrepressible Lee made good on her pre-race promise to go all guns blazing for her first Hong Kong time trial title. She delivered a personal best performance of 22 minutes and 10.258 seconds on Saturday to upstage two-time defending champion Chloe Leung Wing-yee, who was condemned to second place despite covering the 15-kilometre time trial course in her own personal best time.
Meanwhile, in the men's time trial, Chu Tsun-wai took the top spot with a time of 19:57.507, ahead of Vincent Lau Wan-yau, who finished second.
On Sunday, Lee broke away from runner-up Kwan Tsz-kwan near the finish of the 70km road race to secure her third straight national road race crown. Ng Pak-hang, the 2023 champion, won the 120km men's road race.
'Ceci really wanted to win the time trial,' head coach Dagorne said. 'In the past, she would ask if I thought she could win. I'd always say she was physically capable, but she had to really want it.
Ng Pak-hang (left) celebrates after winning the 120km men's road race. Photo: Sam Tsang
'She is physically strong, but there has been a psychological change. She is racing for herself, most of the time. The conditions on Saturday were wet and difficult, and she showed a good mentality.'
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