On May 24, the atmosphere in Ban Lau commune, Lao Cai province became bustling with the jersey colors of cycling clubs across the country.
When the starting signal sounded, the racers embarked on a journey to conquer a 23km long terrain road, passing through many villages and reaching the finish line at the top of mountain 734.
Unlike the flat roads in urban areas, the race track in Ban Lau bears a strong imprint of the border highlands with many steep slopes, sharp bends and rough rocky sections. This challenging terrain creates a special attraction for athletes.
Mr. Pham Tuan Minh Tho, a member of Hanoi C5 Club, shared that the first time he participated in the tournament in Ban Lau, he was impressed by the beautiful but challenging road.
Along the way are pineapple fields and green tea hills. The feeling of finishing in the border area is very special," he said.
Not only is it a physical race, the journey also brings racers the opportunity to experience the pristine beauty of the border region. Local people enthusiastically cheer, replenish water, and add motivation for athletes throughout the route.
This year's tournament gathers nearly 200 athletes from 17 delegations from many provinces and cities across the country. The cyclists compete in 5 events by age group, men and women.
Whether they are amateur athletes or experienced, they all compete with determination, fair-play and a spirit of connection.
At the end of the tournament, the Organizing Committee awarded the First, Second, and Third prizes to the general team and individuals by age group, and also honored the oldest and youngest athletes participating in the tournament.
The highlight of the event is not only in the sports element. Within the framework of the tournament, Ban Lau commune also organizes an exhibition of OCOP products and typical agricultural products to promote culture, image and tourism potential in the border region.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Cuong - Vice Chairman of Ban Lau Commune People's Committee, the tournament is an opportunity for the locality to promote the image of the border region to tourists and the off-road bicycle community, and at the same time gradually build experiential tourism products associated with sports.
The organizers also launched a fundraising campaign to plant trees, light up the border road, spread the message of environmental protection and build a green, clean, and beautiful landscape in the highlands of the border region.
