The Indonesian mountain bike (MTB) team has made the 2026 Coupe de Japon Aichi International MTB event in Aichi, Japan, on March 14–15 part of its preparations for the 2026 Asian Games.
Five athletes participated in the championship, three men namely Zaenal Fanani, Feri Yudoyono, and Ihza Muhammad, and two women namely Sayu Bella Sukma Dewi and Vara Sefti Rahmadani.
"We've prepared well. This year's match schedule is quite busy, so we have to be smart about maintaining our condition and taking advantage of every opportunity to compete," Fanani.
Fanani explained that the championship in Japan is significant because it uses the same track that will be used in the 2026 Asian Games. Therefore, this event is an opportunity for Indonesian athletes to familiarize themselves with the track's characteristics and measure their abilities against world-class racers.
"The track here will be used for the Asian Games, so this is a great opportunity for us to adapt. Plus, we can see firsthand our capabilities when competing against world-class racers," he said.
Prior to their departure to Japan, the Indonesian Cycling Federation (ICF) also provided the athletes with including strategy development and evaluation of the competition program throughout the season.
According to Fanani, this preparation is an important part besides technical training because it helps athletes be more mentally and tactically prepared when facing international competitions.
