Nam Ky Khoi Nghia cycling race wraps up in Laos

The 22nd Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Bicycle Race - Voice of Ho Chi Minh City (VOH) Cup 2019 wrapped up in Vientiane, Laos, after the final stage on October 29.

The organisers present flags and trophies to excellent cyclists after the final stage of the tournament in Vientiane, Laos, on October 29, 2019. (Photo: NDO)
The organisers present flags and trophies to excellent cyclists after the final stage of the tournament in Vientiane, Laos, on October 29, 2019. (Photo: NDO)

On Tuesday, the cyclists competed in the 8th race, which was also the tour’s last stage, with local racer Thomani Sanhalat finishing first after the 60km loop around the capital city of Vientiane.

After eight races, Spaniard Javier Sardá Pérez won the overall yellow jersey, while the green jersey was claimed by Vietnamese Le Nguyet Minh and the white jersey went to another Vietnamese cyclist, Le Hai Dang.

In the team category, Vietnam’s Loc Troi Group claimed the title as champions, while the team from the Vietnamese province of Vinh Long were honoured with the fair-play award.

Cyclists in action during the eighth stage around Vientiane on October 29. (Photo: NDO)

The tournament is the first race crossing the three neighbouring countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos organised by VOH – the official broadcasting station of Ho Chi Minh City. Starting from Vietnam’s southern economic hub on October 21, the race passed through 17 localities in the three countries over eight stages with a total length of nearly 1,000 km.

The highlights of this race were a cross-border gate race between Cambodia and Laos and the final race around Vientiane.

The nine-day event attracted over 60 cyclists, contributing to tightening the traditional solidarity, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Le Cong Dong, VOH Director cum Head of the Organising Committee, expressed his sincere thanks to the leaders of relevant authorities in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as the people of the localities the race passed by, for creating favourable conditions for the tour’s success and cheering the cyclists.