Deputy Secretary Bui Thanh Ha presented the prize flag and encouraged the teams competing in the tournament
The Open is one in a series of events in the Coupe de Hue International Long-Distance Cycling Festival and the 2018 Half-marathon in Hue, which brings together nearly 400 male and female athletes from 29 domestic and international cycling clubs. Thua Thien Hue contributes nearly 100 athletes from 5 clubs in the province.
Athletes competed in three age groups for men (18 to 39, 40 to 50, 51 and above) and two age groups for women (18 to 36, 37 and above), with the total distance of 24.8km and 43km. The tournament was carried out in a circular formula, counting 6 and 10 points, respectively, for every lap done around Phu Xuan Bridge - Da Vien Bridge track. The distance for each lap is 4.3km.
According to the representative of the Vietnam Cycling Federation, despite being a movement tournament, many professional cyclists such as Mai Cong Hieu, Nguyen Nam Cuc, Nguyen Hoang Sang, and Phi Hung participated. In addition, if the average cycling speed at movement tournaments is 35km/h, this time the average speed was raised to nearly 40km/h. During the competition, athletes applied tactical techniques such as coping with wind, speeding, intercepting, splitting from the group, etc., quite smoothly. This showed professionalism of cyclists in their investment and training.
Today, August 26, also at Phu Van Lau Park, the Coupe de Hue International Long-Distance Cycling Festival will be held. The tournament includes 4 courses, with the total distance of 138km. This is a tournament being introduced into the official tournament system in 2019 by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
Some images from the tournament:
Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Bui Thanh Ha raised the racing flag
Cycling pass Quoc Hoc High School
Though under construction, Phu Xuan Bridge was timely paved for competitors
Besides Le Loi Street, Le Duan Street is also a nice leg of the race with many shady trees
Competing near the finish line
Although competing in the U50 group, Mai Cong Hieu is worthy of his reputation as an elite Vietnamese cyclist when he was in a one-lap lead from the closest competitors
Two cycling clubs from Hue won the second and third team prize for the 51 and above age group
Story and photos: Han Dang