The 2024 “Riding in the Rhododendron Season” Cycling Race was a great success

The 2024 “Walking in the middle of the azalea season” cycling race kicked off at 8:30 a.m. on April 7, with the participation of nearly 60 athletes from 11 clubs from 7 provinces and centrally run cities across the country: Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai , Tuyen Quang, Dong Nai, Lai Chau and Lao Cai.

Athletes compete in the individual mountain bike events for men and women in 3 age groups: Under 39 years old, from 40 to 50 years old and from 51 years old. The competition rules follow the Sports Cycling Law issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the current International Cycling Competition Law (UCI).

Immediately after the referee's gun, the athletes officially entered the fierce competition on the 20km long steep mountain pass. Provincial Road 158 from Sang Ma Sao Commune to Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat District is being upgraded and repaired, so many sections of the road surface are not flat, however, this has created an ideal mountain bike racing route for the athletes.

According to the reporter's observation, after about 10 minutes of starting time, athletes in all categories began to separate groups. Athletes with good health and technique took the lead and gradually left the rest behind. About 1.5 hours from the starting time, the best athletes in the men's category under 39 years old reached the finish line.

Athlete Ho Phuong Nghia from the 5th Bien Hoa Shrimp Hotpot Club, Dong Nai province, who won the men's category under 39 years old, said: Although I was a bit tired, I felt very happy to have finished in first place in the men's category under 39 years old. Moving along the route, in addition to the opportunity to compete hard, I also got to see many beautiful flowers and feel the fragrant scent of rhododendrons. I thank the Organizing Committee of the 2024 "Walking in the middle of rhododendron season" Cycling Race for creating a useful, attractive and safe playground for athletes...

Athlete Le Van Hieu, Overmore Club, Hanoi City said: This is the first time I have experienced a long and "tough" route like the 2024 "Walking in the middle of the azalea season" cycling race. However, thanks to the enthusiastic support from the Organizing Committee and my teammates, I overcame the challenge and finished in 2nd place in the men's category under 39 years old. Competing in the 2024 "Walking in the middle of the azalea season" cycling race is an unforgettable experience for me personally. If Bat Xat district organizes it in the following years, I will continue to participate.

According to the Organizing Committee's assessment, the 2024 "Walking in the middle of the rhododendron season" cycling race was supported by the weather, quite cool, favorable for athletes to compete and achieve high results. The 2024 "Walking in the middle of the rhododendron season" cycling race was a great success, through which the locality continues to build sports tournaments in general, and cycling races in particular, in Lao Cai to create a brand, attracting the attention of a large number of athletes inside and outside the province. At the same time, through the tournament, it contributes to building and promoting tourism, famous landscapes and landscapes of Lao Cai to domestic and international friends.

Mr. Nong Quang Duc, Director of the Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, Head of the Organizing Committee, said: This is the first year that the Department of Culture - Sports has coordinated with the People's Committee of Bat Xat district to organize the "Riding in the middle of the rhododendron season" cycling race in 2024 and upgraded it to a provincial-level tournament. To prepare for the tournament, we have developed a plan, inspected and surveyed the race track, issued regulations and sent invitations to cycling clubs inside and outside the province. This year's tournament has gathered many athletes with good skills, thereby contributing to the success of the tournament.

At the end of the tournament, the Organizing Committee awarded 7 sets of prizes (3 team prizes, 4 individual prizes) for the events.

Saying goodbye to the exciting tournament with a colorful flower route that made the athletes nostalgic, all shared a promise to return to participate in the "Riding in the middle of the rhododendron season" cycling race in 2025...

Below are some photos of the award ceremony: