Korea's Im Jae-yeon wins yellow jersey as VTV cycling race 2019 opens in Hanoi

Themed "Heritage Journey," the international bicycle race officially started with the first 51km route on Sunday.

This is the fourth consecutive year the tournament has been organised by the Vietnam Television (VTV), the Vietnam Sports Administration, the Vietnam Cycling and Sport Motors Federation, and Hoa Sen Group on the occasion of celebrating the country's important holidays.

This year's event gathers over 80 cyclists from 12 teams, including six domestic and six foreign teams from Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Australia, and the Republic of Korea.

They compete from September 1 to 8 with a total of eight routes stretching 1,045km to various Vietnams heritages. The organisers expect that, through the races, the country's famous heritages will be introduced to the world, contributing to promoting the country and people of Vietnam.

The peloton depart from Hanoi on September 1, across provinces and cities including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien - Hue, Da Nang and end in Hoi An city (Quang Nam province) on September 9, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the ancient town of Hoi An and My Son temple complex were recognised by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage localities, as well as 10 years since Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve.

Not only is a sporting event imbued with socio-political significance, the VTV international bicycle tournament also aims to develop and promote the movement of cycling competition nationwide.

After the first stage, Korail Cycle's Im Jae-yeon temporarily retained the yellow jersey as he finished first to Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by Bikelife Dong Nai's Nguyen Huong and Nguyen Truong Tai from Ho Chi Minh City - VUS.

On Monday, the cyclists will continue with the 14km second stage from Hanoi to Quang Ninh.

(Source: NDO)