On November 10, the 2024 National Amateur Mountain Bike Championship - IRCtire Cup, organized by the Vietnam Bicycle - Motor Sports Federation, opened and kicked off in Hoa Binh city, Hoa Binh province. More than 320 athletes gathered at Hoa Binh Square to attend the opening ceremony.
Mr. Dao Tien Cuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hoa Binh province, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee - expressed: "This is an opportunity for those who love cycling to meet, exchange experiences and together promote the development of the mountain bike sport movement, while contributing to promoting tourism potential, introducing the cultural and tourism image of Hoa Binh province to domestic and international friends".
The IRCtire Cup takes place on the mountain bike racing track that was used for the 31st SEA Games, which is elaborately designed and has a variety of terrains such as flat terrain, rough uphill climbs or narrow, rocky roads, providing a dramatic and challenging competition experience.
There are 2 distances for 5 groups of athletes. The Young Men (30 years old and under) and Middle Men (31 - 45 years old) groups compete 30.83km. The Tall Men (46 years old and over), Young Women (40 years old and under) and Tall Women (41 years old and over) groups compete 22.00km.
As a result, athlete Do Thi Thanh Hien won first place in the Women's High category, helping the team from Cat Viet Thai Club win first place in the team competition. Soc Son MTB Sports Cycling Club became a formidable factor when athlete Nguyen Thi Yen won first place in the Young Women's category and athlete Ta Van Dac won first place in the Men's High category.
The first prize for the team in the Men's High category also belonged to the Soc Son MTB Sports Cycling Club with many athletes achieving good results.
Mr. Ho Phuoc Nghia - the first-place athlete in the South Central competition - shared: "The hot weather and strong opponents were a challenge for this tournament, I am very happy that I was lucky enough to win". Mr. Nghia Ho's Cat Viet Thai Sports Cycling Club also won first place in the team competition in the South Central competition.
The winner of the Young Men's competition category was Mr. Tran Van Tot - a member of the Tuan Biker Hanoi Club - and also the team that won first place in the team prize for the Young Men's competition.
Closing the race with eye-catching moments that left viewers in awe of the athletes' hill climbing and acceleration, the IRCtire Cup convincingly found a winner.
