Japan, September 24, 2026 – Indonesian mountain bike cross-country rider Sayu Bella secured the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games, delivering Indonesia’s first cycling medal of this year’s Games.
Competing at Obata Ryokuchi Park, Sayu lined up against 15 other riders for a seven-lap race covering 25.9 kilometers. The Bali-born rider took an early lead, completing the opening lap in 12 minutes and 57 seconds. She then settled into third place and held the position through the final lap, crossing the finish line in 1 hour and 28 minutes.
The strength of the competition came as no surprise. Sayu had previously faced two of her Asian Games rivals at the Asian Continental Championships in Uzbekistan in June 2026, where she finished fourth. In preparation for the Asian Games, Sayu and her team gradually increased the intensity of her training, with a particular focus on sustaining a stronger race performance. “My training changed significantly. In every session, there was always a new power target to reach,” Sayu said.
The bronze medal marks an important step in Sayu’s sporting journey. Before competing at the Southeast Asian and continental levels, she once believed that Indonesia’s National Sports Week, locally known as PON, would be the highest level she could reach. “Honestly, I never imagined that I would compete at the Asian Games. I used to think I might only make it as far as the provincial championships or national championships. At the time, National Championships already felt like the highest level I could reach. I am grateful that my journey has taken me to the SEA Games and now the Asian Games, where I can continue representing Indonesia,” she said.
When the Polygon Bikes Indonesia team first met Sayu in Bali around 2021, her potential was already clear. However, it was her humility, willingness to learn, and consistency in training that enabled her to continue progressing. At the 2023 SEA Games, Sayu won gold in the women’s cross-country event, ending Indonesia’s 10-year wait for a gold medal in the discipline. Her Asian Games bronze now marks another major milestone in a career that continues to develop from one competition to the next.
Managing Pressure Ahead of the Asian Games
The Asian Games brought a different level of pressure for Sayu. With every participating nation arriving well prepared and the opportunity to represent Indonesia on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages, she admitted that nerves affected her sleep in the days leading up to the race.
“This was not just another race in Asia. It was the Asian Games, and every country had prepared its riders thoroughly. Honestly, I was so nervous that I struggled to sleep properly,” Sayu said.
Two weeks before the race, Sayu received her latest Polygon Syncline DR, featuring a custom red-and-white design inspired by the colors of the Indonesian flag. Although she had been riding the Syncline DR and its prototype for more than a year, she still needed to adapt to the latest bike and race setup. “I was grateful to have some time to adjust to the new bike before the Asian Games. I was also worried that there might not be enough time,” she said with a laugh.
Amid the pressure, Sayu focused on what she could control: how she approached her training and followed her daily routine. “The one thing I held on to throughout my preparation was discipline. That is what I can control as an athlete. I never get tired of following the same routine every day. Never. I know that the process is what allows me to keep improving.”
For Sayu, the medal was also a way to thank those who had supported her journey, from her family and team to the people of Indonesia. She hopes the result will encourage more Indonesian women to take part in sport and believe that they, too, can compete at the highest international level. “I believe women are capable of achieving many things. Cycling should never be a barrier for women who want to compete, succeed, and represent Indonesia,” Sayu concluded.
