Cycling

Vietnamese cyclists practise in Lijiang prefecture in Jiangxi Province in preparation for their Tour of Poyang Lake 2024. Photo courtesy of Xuân Lộc

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese cyclists will compete at the Tour of Poyang Lake 2024 cycling tournament from September 3-12 in Jiangxi Province, China.

The national six best athletes include 2021 SEA Games champions Quàng Văn Cường and young rising star Phạm Lê Xuân Lộc.

They will be against nearly 150 rivals from 24 other teams from 33 countries and regions on 10 stages the race which is a part of the Asia Tour 2024.

On September 2, cyclists will warm up with a 10km ride from Paigong Lane, Wucheng, Yongxiu, to Yongxiu County People's Square.

The scenery along the track is beautiful, and the contestants can enjoy the unique local natural scenery while racing.

The competition will last for 11 days and will pass through 11 host cities including Jiujiang Yongxiu, Jingdezhen Leping, Shangrao Sanqingshan, Yingtan Longhushan and Ganzhou Anyuan, with a total 1,008km distance.

It is the professional road cycling race with the most event sites and the longest total mileage in Asia this year.

Among title candidates are reigning champion Lyu Xianjing of the hosts, German Lucas Carstensen, Iranian Saeid Safarzadeh, Thai Chaiyasombat Thanakhan and Australia Carter Bettles.

Vietnamese cycling team at the Tour of Poyang Lake. Photo of Việt Nam Cycling and Motor Sport Federation

In terms of event settings, this competition innovatively set up four competition formats, including group race, lap race, team time trial and individual time trial.

According to organisers, this not only makes the competition more colourful, but also greatly improves the viewing experience. At the same time, the event also set up individual overall champion, sprint overall champion, mountaineering overall champion, best young athlete, Greater China overall champion and other individual awards and team points awards, with a total prize of up to 700,000 yuan (US$98,500).

The first stage on September 3 is team's time trial 32km event around county-level city of Leping.

The Tour of Poyang Lake is a multi-day road cycling race held annually. It was first organised in 2010 and generally attracts a large number of riders from UCI continental teams.

Box:

Sep 3, stage 1: Leping -- Leping 32km, team's time trial

Sep 4, stage 2: Mount Sanqing -- Mount Sanqing 113.6km

Sep 5, stage 3: Mount Longhu -- Mount Longhu 147km

Sep 6, stage 4: Zixi -- Zixi 108.5km

Sep 7, stage 5: Wanli -- Wanli 107.9km

Sep 8, stage 6: Tonggu -- Tonggu 114.4km

Sep 9, stage 7: Mount Wugong -- Mount Wugong 29.5km, individual time trial

Sep 10, stage 8: Fairy Lake -- Fairy Lake 120.5km

Sep 11, stage 9: Taihe -- Taihe 115.8km

Sep 10, stage 10: Anyuan -- Anyuan 119.3km