Elite riders from Asia’s top cycling nations delivered commanding performances as the ACC Track and Para Track Championships gathered pace after two days of competition at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome on Thursday, March 26. The continental event marked the Philippines’ return as host for the first time in over three decades.

Olympian Eiya Hashimoto of Japan and Hong Kong’s Sze Wing Lee headlined the action, dominating their respective elite elimination races in a showcase of endurance, strategy and world-class skill. Their victories highlighted the depth of talent competing in the tournament organized by the Asian Cycling Confederation and hosted by PhilCycling.

The event has drawn strong participation from across the region, with athletes competing in multiple disciplines while also testing the newly certified Category A velodrome facility. The competition continues to receive positive feedback from international officials overseeing the races.

Hashimoto, Lee lead elite field in elimination races

Hashimoto proved his class in the men’s elite elimination race, outlasting a 14-rider field that demanded both speed and stamina. The Japanese standout showcased tactical awareness and endurance to secure the gold medal against a competitive lineup.

China’s Junjie Wu claimed the silver medal, while Uzbekistan’s Nikita Tsvetkov completed the podium with a bronze finish. The race featured intense exchanges, with riders battling through each elimination round in a test of consistency.

Filipino cyclist Mark Julius Bonzo delivered a respectable performance, finishing 11th despite facing seasoned international competitors. The 36-year-old held his ground against a strong field, reflecting the growing competitiveness of the local squad.

In the women’s elite elimination race, Sze Wing Lee of Hong Kong displayed similar dominance, outpacing China’s Ning Chen and Japan’s Misaki Okamoto to secure the gold. Her performance underscored her strength and composure in high-pressure situations.

Filipina rider Angeline Elvira also showed grit, finishing 11th out of 13 participants. Her effort mirrored the determination of the Philippine contingent as they continue to gain experience on the international stage.

Regional powerhouses pile up medals across events

Beyond the elimination races, powerhouse nations continued to assert their dominance across multiple events. South Korea’s Hyerin Park captured the women’s junior sprint gold, overcoming Malaysia’s Nur Umairah Qhaisara Zilfikha Razar in the final.

China maintained its strong showing with Liying Yuan ruling the women’s elite keirin, leading a podium that included teammate Lijuan Wang and Japan’s Haruka Nakazawa. The country also secured a one-two finish in the men’s elite keirin through Han Xie and Zhiwei Li.

Chinese Taipei added to its medal haul with Yi Kuan Lin winning the men’s junior sprint gold, while teammate Zi Qi Wei clinched bronze. The consistent podium finishes highlighted the region’s depth in track cycling talent.

International officials praised the smooth conduct of the competition, noting the efficiency of race operations and the quality of the hosting. The successful staging of the event signals the Philippines’ capability to handle major cycling tournaments moving forward.

Despite falling short of podium finishes, the Philippine team continued to show resilience and determination against elite competition. The experience gained is expected to play a key role in the development of local riders in future international events.