Cycling 

Organisers introduce winning jerseys of the 14th Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament which will be held from March 6-15. Photo of organisers

HÀ NỘI — The 14th Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament will be a highly competitive event as it features considerable number of foreign national teams and clubs.

The tournament, Biwase Cup, will be held from March 6-15 gathering the strongest riders of 11 local clubs along with those from nine international teams. It is the highest number of participants since its debut 13 years ago.

Among the Vietnamese sides, An Giang, Đồng Tháp and HCM City target the highest places. 

Hosts Bình Dương also expect to top the podium but they are without their best member, Asian champion Nguyễn Thị Thật, as she is now on loan contract with Israel-Premier Tech Roland of Switzerland. 

The club has, however, signed deals with three Japanese riders Shoko Kashki, Tsubasa Makisem and Miho Yoshikawa, to strengthen their chances for the win.

Against them are athletes from Asian powerhouse such as Japan, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and Iran.

Cyclists will race in 10 stages covering 1,158km starting from Bình Dương, past Đồng Nai, Lâm Đồng, Khánh Hòa, Ninh Thuận, Bình Thuận and Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu, before returning to Bình Dương.

Competitors will have to overcome not only hot weather but also six tough climbs including Bảo Lộc and Prenn in Lâm Đồng Province, and Vĩnh Hy in Ninh Thuận.

The yellow jersey winner will take a VNĐ45 million (US$1,800) bonus while the best sprinter will have the green jersey and VNĐ30 million. The winning team will pocket VNĐ42 million. Organisers will also present other awards for impressive cyclists.

Along with the race, gifts will be given to local students with difficulties. VNS