Provincial leaders participated in the warm-up ride with the athletes from early morning
After the warm-up from Phu Van Lau to National Road 49 Junction, two groups of athletes took part in the 150km Gran Fondo Ride Race from Hue City to A Luoi and back to Hue City and the 70km Half Fondo Ride Race from Hue to Binh Dien and back to Hue. They officially entered the race to conquer the road with many high passes, winding slopes and deep abyss below.
Just a few minutes after the Gran Fondo Ride race “Hue City - A Luoi – Hue City” began, the cyclist who had just won the title of "Bach Ma Laguna Mountain’s King of Climbing" Javier Sarda (Spain) had speeded 2 slopes ahead from the rest of the group.
Perhaps the newly won title "King of Climbing" was a motivation for the former Tour de France champion as the athlete showed no sign of slowing down. For the next 30 minutes, Javier Sarda was still alone in his lead. This was also the time in the Gran Fondo Ride race when the athletes split into 3 groups and the distance between each group was quite great.
After the journey of 196 bends, including 58 bends below which was a deep abyss and conquering 3 passes: Ta Luong, Kim Quy, A Co, Javier Sarda was the first to the finish line in A Luoi Square. He rode back to the finish destination in Phu Van Lau at an increasingly faster pace, leaving behind the athlete wearing the number 003 who was about 30 minutes behind.
In this race, the division between the athletes took place very clearly. Despite being left behind, having to walk their bike or having a breakdown in the middle of the road, no contestant gave up. They all knew, in addition to the determination to conquer their limits with endurance, perseverance and courage, in front of them was the warm and sincere welcome of thousands of A Luoi people ...
Chairman Phan Ngoc Tho presented awards to the female athletes with high achievements
The 2 days of Coupe de Hue 2019 have ended with the memories of the rides on Bach Ma Mountain, on the legendary Truong Son road, on the winding roads and towering forest mountains of A Luoi; of the lively rhythm of the Huong River during the Indotrek – Chilai boat race; of the Vietnam SUP Race; or of the parade of vintage Vespa scooters around places associated with the talented musician Trinh Cong Son.... Surely, the experience will be unforgettable for approximately 1000 domestic and international athletes from 25 countries around the world gathering in Hue on this occasion.
Some photos at stage 2 Coupe de Hue 2019:
In this race, there was also the participation of seniors from the Pham Family Bicycle Club
5:30 a.m. - the racing team reached Dien Bien Phu street
A view of the racing athletes from Tuan Bridge - near the place where the athletes were preparing to compete
Javier Sarda quickly speeded up
... leaving the 2nd and 3rd groups far behind
Although being left far behind just at the starting point, the last group still showed leisure and watched the scenery on both sides of the road as they raced
For this part of the road, many athletes had to get off to walk
The enthusiastic encouragement of the people was a great motivation for the cyclists to complete the journey
Javier Sarda was first at the A Luoi finish line and returned to finish in Phu Van Lau
During this period, former champion of Tour de France 2011 Cadel Evans talked to the people and authorities of A Luoi district
On the racing road, "Bach Ma Laguna Mountain’s King of Climbing" was still in “solitude” when he crossed the finish line alone in the afternoon.
At Coup de Hue 2019, Javier Sarda won both the "Bach Ma Laguna Mountain’s King of Climbing" title and championed the Grand Fondo Ride "Hue City - A Luoi - Hue City"
Vice Chairman Nguyen Dung shared his joy with the contestants at the stage 2 Coupe de Hue 2019 on the afternoon of 22/9
Story and photos: Han Dang