Indonesian mountain bike (MTB) athlete Sayu Bella Sukma Dewi is still adapting to elite global competition after focusing on competing in this category throughout 2026.
Sayu said the first three months of the year are crucial for finding consistent performance, as they face more experienced opponents at the elite level.
"Performance-wise, we're still adjusting because this year we're really focused on the elite. We've played in the elite before, but now we're really diving in, so the level of competition is really palpable," Sayu.
According to him, a number of early season championships, such as in Thailand and India, are still part of the adaptation process before facing tougher competition in Japan, which will be attended by racers from China, Kazakhstan, and the host nation.
He admitted that the increasing level of competition forced him to change his mindset, especially when facing the technical tracks that are typical of international championships.
"In Japan, the tracks are technical and the obstacles are quite extreme. I have to be braver and change my mindset. They can overcome obstacles with ease, so I have to be confident I can do it too," he said.
To improve her preparedness, Sayu also studied various track references from world championships through video viewing as part of her non-technical preparation before competing.
"I often watch World Cup track videos on YouTube to get an idea. It helps me mentally before a race," he said.
