Kampong Chhnang will host 10 teams competing across four cycling events from November 5 to 8, 2026, as part of Cambodia’s 5th National Games. The competition will bring together riders representing eight provincial departments and two government ministries, testing their endurance, technical ability and teamwork ahead of a wider national sporting programme running through November 13.
Key Facts
Cycling competition: November 5–8, 2026.
Host province: Kampong Chhnang.
Participating teams: 10, representing eight provincial departments and two ministries.
Cycling events: Women’s cross-country Olympic (XCO), men’s XCO, team time trial (TTT) and men’s road criterium.
National Games dates: November 5–13, 2026.
Combined participation: Approximately 4,773 athletes, coaches and delegates across the National Games and National Games for the Disabled.
National Games programme: 32 sports and 258 events.
Games for the Disabled: 10 sports and 46 events.
Theme: “Sports for National Unity.”
Ten Teams to Compete for National Cycling Honours
The cycling competition will feature teams from eight provinces and two ministries, according to Nou Chamroeun, secretary-general of the Cambodian Cycling Federation.
The participating provincial teams will represent:
Kampong Thom
Siem Reap
Kandal
Stung Treng
Kampong Chhnang
Battambang
Oddar Meanchey
Preah Sihanouk
The Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Interior will also field teams.
The event will provide riders with an opportunity to compete against athletes from different parts of Cambodia while demonstrating their physical preparation, technical skills and ability to perform under competitive conditions.
For Kampong Chhnang, hosting the championship also places the province at the centre of one of the country’s major national sporting events.
Four Cycling Events to Test Endurance and Teamwork
The competition will feature four disciplines designed to assess different aspects of cycling performance.
Women’s Cross-Country Olympic
The women’s cross-country Olympic event will test riders’ endurance, technical handling and ability to navigate demanding terrain. Cross-country racing requires athletes to combine sustained physical effort with the skills needed to negotiate changing course conditions.
Men’s Cross-Country Olympic
The men’s XCO event will similarly challenge riders’ stamina, technical control and race strategy. Competitors must balance pace and energy management while responding to the demands of the course.
Team Time Trial
The team time trial will place particular emphasis on coordination and collective performance. Unlike individual races, success in this discipline depends on riders working together to maintain an effective pace and manage their effort as a unit.
Men’s Road Criterium
The men’s road criterium will test riders in a road-racing format that places demands on speed, positioning, tactical judgement and endurance.
Together, the four events will give participating teams opportunities to demonstrate a range of cycling capabilities rather than relying on a single race format.
National Games to Take Place Across Four Locations
The cycling competition forms part of Cambodia’s 5th National Games and the 3rd National Games for the Disabled, scheduled for November 5–13, 2026.
The wider programme will take place across four locations:
Phnom Penh
Kep
Kampong Chhnang
Svay Rieng
Held under the theme “Sports for National Unity,” the two competitions are expected to bring together approximately 4,773 athletes, coaches and delegates representing the capital, 25 provinces and government institutions.
The National Games will feature 32 sports with 258 events, while the Games for the Disabled will include 10 sports and 46 events.
The programme brings together a broad range of sporting disciplines and participants, creating opportunities for athletes to compete at national level and for sports organisations to strengthen their event-management capabilities.
Building Athlete Experience and National Sports Capacity
The National Games serve purposes beyond the pursuit of medals. According to the report, the competitions aim to help athletes improve their performances, give technical officials practical experience and strengthen national sports federations’ ability to organise events to recognised standards.
For cyclists, the four-day competition offers an opportunity to test their preparation against domestic rivals and gain experience in different race formats.
For sports administrators and technical officials, organising national-level competitions provides experience in coordinating events, managing competition requirements and supporting athletes.
These capabilities are important to the development of national sports programmes, particularly as Cambodia prepares for future regional competitions.
Preparing for the 2028 ASEAN University Games
The National Games are also expected to contribute to Cambodia’s preparation for the 2028 ASEAN University Games.
Domestic competitions can help athletes gain experience, assess their performance and identify areas requiring further training. They also provide sports federations with opportunities to evaluate athletes and strengthen competition-management practices.
However, the source report does not specify whether the cycling events will serve as formal selection trials for the 2028 competition or identify particular qualification criteria.
The immediate focus remains on the November National Games, where athletes from across Cambodia will compete for national honours.
Angkor Times Analysis: Sporting Events Can Strengthen Regional Participation
Kampong Chhnang’s role as host of the national cycling competition highlights how Cambodia’s major sporting events can extend beyond the capital and involve provincial sports organisations.
Three aspects are particularly relevant.
First, provincial representation can broaden participation. Teams from eight provinces, alongside two ministries, will bring athletes from different parts of the country into a shared national competition. Such events can provide a platform for regional talent to gain experience and visibility.
Second, competition quality depends on organisation as well as participation. Athlete preparation, technical officiating, course management and event coordination all contribute to a successful championship. The stated goal of strengthening sports federations’ organisational capacity is therefore an important part of the wider programme.
Third, domestic competitions can support longer-term athlete development. The National Games give athletes opportunities to test their performance against national-level opponents. Translating that experience into progress towards regional competitions will require continued training, coaching and structured development beyond the event itself.
The November programme will bring together a substantial number of participants across multiple sports and locations. Its longer-term value will depend on how effectively the experience gained by athletes, coaches and officials supports Cambodia’s ongoing sports development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the cycling competition take place?
The cycling events are scheduled for November 5–8, 2026, in Kampong Chhnang.
2. How many teams will participate?
Ten teams will compete, representing eight provincial departments, the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Interior.
3. Which cycling events are included?
The programme includes women’s cross-country Olympic, men’s cross-country Olympic, the team time trial and the men’s road criterium.
4. When will Cambodia’s National Games take place?
The 5th National Games and 3rd National Games for the Disabled are scheduled for November 5–13, 2026.
5. Where will the National Games be held?
The events will take place across Phnom Penh, Kep, Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng.
6. How many participants are expected?
Approximately 4,773 athletes, coaches and delegates are expected across the National Games and the Games for the Disabled.
7. How will the National Games support future competitions?
The competitions are intended to improve athlete performance, provide experience for technical officials and strengthen sports federations’ event-management capacity, supporting Cambodia’s preparations for the 2028 ASEAN University Games.