'2025 KCYCLE Cycling Championship' will be grandly held at Gwangmyeong Speedom from the 28th to the 30th. Following the Speedon Cup in February and the KCYCLE Star Match in May, the championship, which is the third major event of the year, is a definitive competition for the best athletes in various grades such as selection, excellence, and special, making it the highest authority in cycling for the first half of the year.

▲ Special grade, Im Chae-bin likely to achieve an unprecedented four consecutive championships

Before the emergence of Im Chae-bin (25th class, SS), the championship was often referred to as the graveyard of last year's grand prix winners, as many surprises occurred. Even Jeong Jong-jin (20th class, SS, Gimpo), who boasts five grand prix victories, had to experience defeats in the championship the year after winning the grand prix. In the championships of 2017 and 2018, Jeong Ha-neul (21st class, S1, Dongseoul) won, and in 2019, Hwang In-hyuk (21st class, S1, Sejong) also claimed victory. The championships did not take place in 2019 and 2020 due to COVID-19.

However, since the arrival of Im Chae-bin, that trend has been completely shattered. Im Chae-bin won the championship in 2022 after his first grand prix victory in 2021 and has secured victories in both 2023 and 2024, currently achieving three consecutive championships.

The outlook for a four-peat is very bright. Im Chae-bin's only competitor, Jeong Jong-jin, has lost all three head-to-head matches against Im Chae-bin this year. Jeong Jong-jin attempted to distance Im Chae-bin by implementing strategies that involved the advance and retreat of his Gimpo teammates, but the result always ended in victory for Im Chae-bin. It can now be said that Im Chae-bin's skills are so superior that the situation seems to be a one-man show. Other super special competitors such as Yang Seung-won (22nd class, SS, Cheongju), In Chi-hwan (17th class, SS, Gimpo), and Jeon Won-kyu (23rd class, SS, Dongseoul) have shown fluctuations, being intermittently challenged by other competitors, which indicates Im Chae-bin's likely victory in this championship.

▲ Excellent grade, a fierce competition without absolute powerhouses

Unlike the predictable victories in the special grade, the excellent grade is expected to have fierce matches starting from the preliminary rounds on the 28th. The excellent grade, which often sees intense battles, will feature 49 carefully selected top competitors, promising high-stakes matches where spectacular performances are expected to emerge.

In looking at the top competitors, the Dongseoul team led by Im Jae-yeon and ONEJOON (both 28th class, A1) and the Gimpo team, which includes Kim Min-ho (25th class, A1), Choi Dong-hyun (20th class, A1), Yoon Hyun-gu (22nd class, A1), and Lee Cha-hyun (27th class, A1), are forming the two major mountains. Additionally, Kim Jun-cheol (28th class, A1, Cheongju), Jeon Young-kyu (17th class, A1, Cheongju), Kim Tae-ho (29th class, A1, Cheongpyeong), Yoo Ji-hoon (20th class, A1, Jeonju), Kim Min-cheol (8th class, A1, Gwangju), Ryu Jae-min (15th class, A1, Susung), Bae Min-gu (12th class, A1, Geumjeong), and Gong Min-woo (11th class, A1, Gapyeong) are expected to participate.

Although the current top two in the excellent grade, Im Jae-yeon and ONEJOON, appear to be the strongest, attention should be paid to the performance of Kim Jun-cheol. This competition will mark Kim Jun-cheol's return after an injury sustained earlier in April. Before the injury, he participated in 20 races, achieving 16 first-place finishes, so if he has fully recovered and trained adequately during his hiatus, he cannot be overlooked as a competitor.

▲ Selection grade, will a rookie from the 29th division win this time?

The races held in February and May for the selection grade were a stage dominated by the 29th division rookies. In the February Speedon Cup, the seven members of the 29th class reaching the finals were a spectacular sight, with Jeong Yun-hyuk (A1, Dongseoul), Bae Gyu-tae (A2, Susung), and Kang Dong-joo (A1, Dongseoul) finishing in the top three thanks to their special advancements to the excellent grade. In June, Shin Dong-in (A1, Gimpo) and Kim Jung-woo (A1, Dongseoul) also ranked 1st and 2nd, simultaneously succeeding in special advancement while overpowering their seniors.

Although many rookies have moved to the excellent grade, veterans who have been overshadowed by the rookies are confident that this time will be different. Kim Byeong-seon (20th class, B1, Busan), Choi Bong-ki (9th class, B1, Gimhae Jangyu), and Im Dae-seung (18th class, B1, Jeonju) believe they won't fall short of strength compared to the rookies, while adaptable players like Oh Jeong-seok (8th class, B1, Chungnam), Choi Boo-geon (10th class, B1, Gwangju), and Jeong Jae-sung (11th class, B1, Gumi) excel in counterattacks in the latter half of the races.

Meanwhile, the seniors who have struggled to compete with the rookies are confident that this time will be different. Kim Byeong-seon (20th class, B1, Busan), Choi Bong-ki (9th class, B1, Gimhae Jangyu), and Im Dae-seung (18th class, B1, Jeonju) do not feel outmatched in strength compared to the rookies, and the agile players like Oh Jeong-seok (8th class, B1, Chungnam), Choi Boo-geon (10th class, B1, Gwangju), and Jeong Jae-sung (11th class, B1, Gumi) are strong in second half counterattacks.

Park Jin-soo, head of the expected cycling expert team, expressed, “In the special grade, Im Chae-bin facing Jeong Jong-jin is a familiar sight, but it is difficult to predict the finalists in the excellent and selection grades. Since the skill gaps among the players are minimal, the three days of the championship will feature thrilling matches that will leave fans at the edge of their seats.”

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