Cyclists of Lộc Trời Group compete at the 2019 HCM City Television Cycling Cup. — Photo nld.com.vn

 HÀ NỘI — The annual National Cycling Tournament, HCM City Television Cup, will be held on May 19 to June 7.

The 32nd edition of the event has been delayed by about a month.

The coronavirus has forced the postponement of the nation's biggest cycling race which is held to celebrate the liberation of Sài Gòn on April 30.

This year, athletes will tour through nearly 2,200km of 18 stages, five stages fewer than the original plan. They will start from Vinh City of Nghệ An Province, home town of late President Hồ Chí Minh on May 19. It is to celebrate his 130th birthday.

Riders will pass the ancient capital of Huế, to the central coastal region and central highland provinces before coming to Đà Lạt and finishing in HCM City on June 7. Among the stages, they will conquer five passes of Hải Vân in Đà Nẵng, An Khê and Man Yang in Gia Lai, Ngoạn mục and Prenn in Lâm Đồng. There is also one stage of the team’s time trial and four stages in which cyclists will tour around the destinations.

After the announcement of the competition, teams have been back to intensive training.

Title favourites VUS-HCM City and Lộc Trời Group have travelled to Đà Lạt for practicing while Bikelife Đồng Nai moved to Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu and Domesco Đồng Tháp fly to Nghệ An.

The winner of the tournament will walk away with the yellow jersey and VNĐ200 million (US$8,600) while the winning team will grab VNĐ100 million.

Winners of the individual title will also bag bonuses ranging from VNĐ3-50 million. — VNS