Cyclists compete in the HTV Cycling Tournament in 2019 (Photo htv.com.vn) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Theannual Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV) Cycling Tournament will bedelayed this year due to the coronavirus, organisers have announced.
The tournament was scheduledfor April 5-30. However, the postponement means that it would notfinish on the historic day of April 30, the Liberation Day of the City andReunification Day of Vietnam, as usual.
The organisers said theevent might begin in mid May to celebrate late President Ho Chi Minh’s130th birthday on May 19, and wrap up on June 7.
There are also other schedulesfor the event which could be held in later months or even cancelled.
“The postponement is out of ourcontrol. We have made several plans for the tournament but it still depends onthe deadly outbreak,” Ngo Quang Vinh, Vice President of the VietnamCycling and Motor Racing Federation, said.
“The top priority is people’s andathletes’ health. It is time to battle COVID-19.”
This year, 14 teams with 98cyclists were set to compete over 20 stages covering more than2,000km from Hanoi to HCM City.
The delay has affected the teams’plans.
The Military Zone 7 and VUS-HCMCity have left their training camps in Da Lat to return to HCM City.
“We planned to train in Da Latuntil the end of March before travelling to Hanoi for the tournament. Nowit is delayed, we have to return home and build another plan,” said coach Do ThanhDat of VUS-HCM City.
Bike Life Dong Nai crew were alsoback home in Dong Nai on March 28 while Domesco Dong Thap will leave Da Lat on March31. Hat Ngoc Troi An Giang stay on and train in Nha Trang, waiting for theevent.
The tournament is the biggestcycling event in Vietnam and has been running for 31years, luring the nation’s best cyclists every year.
Last year, Javier Sarda Perez ofVIS-HCM City took the yellow jersey as the winner. Le Nguyet Minh of HCMCity MM Mega Market took the green jersey as the best sprinter. GolakhourMirsamad Pourseyed of Loc Troi An Giang Group was King of Mountains and NguyenQuoc Bao of Domesco Dong Thap was the best young rider./.
The tournament was scheduledfor April 5-30. However, the postponement means that it would notfinish on the historic day of April 30, the Liberation Day of the City andReunification Day of Vietnam, as usual.
The organisers said theevent might begin in mid May to celebrate late President Ho Chi Minh’s130th birthday on May 19, and wrap up on June 7.
There are also other schedulesfor the event which could be held in later months or even cancelled.
“The postponement is out of ourcontrol. We have made several plans for the tournament but it still depends onthe deadly outbreak,” Ngo Quang Vinh, Vice President of the VietnamCycling and Motor Racing Federation, said.
“The top priority is people’s andathletes’ health. It is time to battle COVID-19.”
This year, 14 teams with 98cyclists were set to compete over 20 stages covering more than2,000km from Hanoi to HCM City.
The delay has affected the teams’plans.
The Military Zone 7 and VUS-HCMCity have left their training camps in Da Lat to return to HCM City.
“We planned to train in Da Latuntil the end of March before travelling to Hanoi for the tournament. Nowit is delayed, we have to return home and build another plan,” said coach Do ThanhDat of VUS-HCM City.
Bike Life Dong Nai crew were alsoback home in Dong Nai on March 28 while Domesco Dong Thap will leave Da Lat on March31. Hat Ngoc Troi An Giang stay on and train in Nha Trang, waiting for theevent.
The tournament is the biggestcycling event in Vietnam and has been running for 31years, luring the nation’s best cyclists every year.
Last year, Javier Sarda Perez ofVIS-HCM City took the yellow jersey as the winner. Le Nguyet Minh of HCMCity MM Mega Market took the green jersey as the best sprinter. GolakhourMirsamad Pourseyed of Loc Troi An Giang Group was King of Mountains and NguyenQuoc Bao of Domesco Dong Thap was the best young rider./.
VNA
