Thai Sprint Team Heads to 2026 World Championships in Shanghai
Thailand’s sprint cycling team is set to compete at the 2026 UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai to earn points for Olympic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The squad features Jai Angkurasasawit, Norasetthada Boonma and Yeeyong Phettrat, managed by Jutatip Manipun. The event is part of a series of competitions whose results will decide the Olympic berths for track cycling.
General Decha said the 2026 UCI Track World Championships is crucial for Olympic qualification in track cycling, as it is the first event where accumulated points will determine selection under the new Track Olympic Qualification System. Besides the 2026 Worlds, the UCI has designated three 2027 Track World Cup rounds—in Milton, Canada; Hong Kong SAR; and China—as well as the Asian Track Championships in Malaysia (January 2027) and India (2027), the 2027 UCI Track World Championships in France (August 2027), and a final three World Cup rounds in early 2028, with the qualification period ending in April 2028. He noted that Olympic selection for track will rely solely on these points, unlike road, mountain bike and BMX events where continental champions receive automatic quotas. The UCI world ranking remains important for entry into World Cups and Worlds; the Thai sprint team is currently ranked 15th globally, with Jai Angkurasasawit 43rd in the sprint ranking, thanks to consistent points accumulation in 2025 and 2026. General Decha added that the Thai Cycling Association will continue to support the three sprinters despite the high costs, citing their rapid improvement; although they did not medal at the 20th Asian Games, the first two riders posted the best two‑lap time of 30.100 seconds, and had Norasetthada not fallen in the final lap, Thailand could have finished the Asian Games first round under 44 seconds.
