Master Technician Hwang Seung-ho Shines Through Individual Training in K-CYCLE

While leg power is often seen as a key determinant of success in K-Cycle, it's not the only factor that influences race outcomes. Even riders who may lack explosive strength can secure top finishes through exceptional tactical execution. In races featuring dominant stars like Im Chae-bin and Jung Jong-jin, it is widely accepted that only riders with comparable physicality or team support have a realistic shot at second or third place. However, one standout rider continues to defy these expectations—Hwang Seung-ho (S1), a top-tier technician in K-Cycle who trains independently.

Hwang has made back-to-back finals appearances in three major events: last year’s Grand Prix, the SpeedOn Cup in February, and the Busan Mayor’s Special K-Cycle held from 4–6 April. In the latest event, he finished third behind Im Chae-bin (SS) and Jung Jong-jin (SS), offering a fresh reminder of his exceptional racecraft.

Graduating 5th in his 19th intake class, Hwang was initially seen as a middling prospect, with few expecting him to excel in the elite S-grade category beyond his first year in A-grade. However, Hwang chose to focus on his tactical strengths rather than raw power, and his persistence paid off. In 2019, he reached the prestigious Super S-grade, a distinction earned by only five riders among more than 500.

Since 2023, Hwang has opted out of team training to train independently. Despite concerns that his performance might suffer, he has not only maintained his form but remained one of the top competitors. Among S-grade riders, Hwang is one of the few—if not the only—elite riders who trains solo. Currently, he ranks 4th overall in both race results and prize money, just behind Im Chae-bin, Jung Jong-jin, and Yang Seung-won (SS).

Three key strengths define Hwang’s success as a solo rider. First, he possesses unshakable tenacity, refusing to be intimidated regardless of his rivals or the team dynamics in play. Unlike typical marking riders who usually follow teammates or affiliated competitors, Hwang breaks that mold. Second, his race timing is exceptional—his ability to maintain or steal position is nearly unmatched. Third, despite being primarily a marking and chasing-type rider, he has extraordinary control over race tempo. Whether blocking, positioning, or pressing forward on the inside or outside, Hwang displays a level of versatility that influences the entire field.

Jung-woo Park, deputy editor at “K-Cycle Winners”, remarked, "Hwang Seung-ho’s precision in marking key contenders and his ability to win through final sprints prove that K-Cycle is about more than brute force. His races are defined by safe, refined, and tactically thrilling execution that showcases the intellectual side of the sport."