International cycling tournament opens in Da Nang

The VTV International Cycling Tournament-Ton Hoa Sen Cup 2016 opened in Da Nang city on August 24, bringing together 75 cyclists from home and abroad.

Cyclists enter the first race of the tournament after the opening ceremony (Photo: CPV)

The cyclists hail from 13 teams based in cities and provinces across Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Binh Duong, Dong Thap, Hanoi, Vinh Long, and Can Tho. They will compete against two foreign teams from Laos and Thailand.

The cyclists will ride over 1,250 km in 10 stages, starting in Da Nang, cycling through 11 cities and provinces before finishing in the capital city of Hanoi on September 2.

After the opening ceremony, the cyclists entered the first 50-km race with the yellow jersey won by Tran Nguyen Duy Nhan from Military Zone 7 team.

The first and second runners up were Desrias Loic from Thailand and Trinh Duc Tam from An Giang province, respectively.

During the event, the cyclist will visit a number of historical sites such as the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh in Nghe An province, General Vo Nguyen Giap’s tomb in Quang Binh, Le Loi Statue in Thanh Hoa and King Le Thai To statue in Hanoi.

Over 28,000 gifts and 120 bicycles will also be presented to children in cities and provinces that the cyclists drop by throughout the competition.

The awards and closing ceremony will take place in Hanoi on September 2.

The event is being jointly held by the the Vietnam Television, the Vietnam Cycling and Sport Motors Federation and Hoa Sen Group.

(Source: NDO)