National cyclist Vincent Ang probed over 'assault'

SINGAPORE'S only medalled male cyclist at the SEA Games is being investigated by police for alleged assault.

National cyclist Vincent Ang allegedly slapped and hit a fellow national rider multiple times during a training ride on Sunday morning, then again that same morning at the Adam Road Food Centre while the cyclists were taking a break, eyewitnesses told The Straits Times.

The 38-year-old won the SEA Games bronze during the men's criterium last month, the only male cyclist here to manage a podium position.

His alleged victim was fellow national rider Ang Kee Meng. The two men are unrelated. The 29-year-old declined to comment on the matter, but The Straits Times understands he has lodged a police report.

In the first incident, Vincent had yelled at another rider after a disagreement, according to eyewitnesses. When his younger teammate came to the rider's defence, the medallist allegedly hit him twice - all while the group were on their bikes.

It has also been alleged that Vincent then hit the younger cyclist again at the hawker centre.

A police spokesman confirmed a report was lodged and that they were looking into the matter.

When contacted, the older man declined to comment. The veteran cyclist is no stranger to controversy.

In February, pictures of him cycling with his two-year-old son in one hand and a mobile phone in the other - while wearing the national jersey - were posted on citizen journalism website Stomp, earning the ire of netizens.

A month later, he was involved in an incident with a car driver who allegedly ran over his bicycle.

Singapore Cycling Federation general manager Mahipal Singh told The Straits Times yesterday that it was investigating the matter.

"The federation is looking into it and is concerned," said Mr Singh. "It's an unpleasant incident, and depending on what we establish, we cannot condone such actions."

This article by The Straits Times was published in MyPaper, a free, bilingual newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.