SINGAPORE — Two years ago, Ho Jun Rong thought he had left his cycling career behind him as he made the decision to hang up his racing jersey and cleats.

But racing in the OCBC Cycle Road Race in March, the former professional cyclist — who competed with the OCBC Singapore Continental Cycling team before it was disbanded in 2014 — soon rediscovered his love for the sport.

The 26-year-old, who took part in two SEA Games campaigns in 2011 and 2013, is now back in the national fold as the Republic makes a bid for a medal at the SEA Games in Malaysia next year.

“I stopped for about two years to start my business (JR Cycle Services) and I didn’t ride for a few months,” said Ho on the sidelines of the OCBC Cycle Road Series (2016) award presentation at Sport Singapore yesterday.

“I started racing again this year, and I realised that sometimes when you stop doing something you love, you realise how much you still want to do it.”

Ho, who was awarded the pink jersey and S$1,000 last night for winning the men’s open category, is now aiming to qualify for the track cycling events at the 2017 SEA Games.

Also on the hunt for SEA Games glory is former decathlete Lance Tan, who made the switch from athletics to cycling after competing in last year’s SEA Games — he finished eighth in the men’s decathlon.

The 29-year-old had aced the selection trials conducted this year by the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF), and he is aiming to qualify for three events for the Malaysia SEA Games: Match sprint, team sprint, and 1km time trial.

“It has been a steep learning curve but I’m enjoying the ride,” said the research engineer. “I wouldn’t have done it without the help of Ang Kee Meng (SCF vice-president) and national cyclist Dinah Chan who helped me with my bike equipment and set-up.

“It’s a nice feeling (to make the team), but there is still a lot of work to be done. Malaysia is going to be very strong, and there’s still a lot of hard work ahead.”

A total of 14 men and six women were also selected for the national road racing squad yesterday, a result of the SCF’s inaugural nationwide talent identification programme. Nine yellow jerseys were also handed out to the winners of the eight event categories of the OCBC Cycle Road Series (2016), with Ho and Luo Yiwei awarded the pink jerseys for winning the men’s and women’s open respectively.

The awards for the top-ranked clubs went to Specialised Mavericks (Open), and joint-winners Mandai Hyenas and Cycleworx (Singaporean). LOW LIN FHOONG