Hong Kong Cyclothon organisers want international races back next year with less quarantine restrictions
- About 4,000 local riders took to the roads after an absence of almost four years of Hong Kong Cyclothon
- Cycling showpiece has been filled with international colours until being stopped in 2019
Organisers of the Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon on Sunday believe international races could return to the city next year, after the showpiece event was staged for the first time since 2018.
On the coldest day of 2022 so far, about 4,000 local riders took part in six races, ranging from a 50-kilometre non-competitive ride to a team time trial of 18.5 kilometres.
The scale also made it the biggest outdoor sports event of the year, and the city’s Tourism Board hopes overseas competitors will be able to take part again next year.
“Hong Kong has lifted the amber health code and relaxed other quarantine rules for inbound travellers,” Pang Yiu-kai, the board’s chairman, said. “We are opening the border gradually and when we stage the Cyclothon again next year, most of measures should be open. We can have sufficient time to promote the event and attract overseas riders.”
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who attended the prize presentation, said the large number of participants showed people overseas “that Hong Kong has returned to the world stage”.
“With the flexible lifting of measures in response to the epidemic, the number of visitors to Hong Kong will increase rapidly,” he said. “I am confident that Hong Kong, the event capital, will soon become the first choice for tourists again.”
Leung Hung-tak, chairman of the city’s Cycling Association, said having international races could add colour to the event, which was first launched in 2015 with 100 professional cyclists from around the world competing in the Union Cycliste Internationale-recognised criterium race in Tsim Sha Tsui East promenade.
When the last Cyclothon took place four years ago, organisers brought the top-class Hammer Series to the city with an unprecedented 11 UCI WorldTour teams, plus three ProContinental teams, and the Hong Kong Team, fighting it out in two back-to-back races on Salisbury Road.
A similar event was planned for 2019, but the social unrest prevented it taking place and the coronavirus pandemic then dealt another major blow.
Hong Kong cycling legend Wong Kam-po, who joined the 30-km non-competitive race, was also confident of a bigger event next year.
“The atmosphere is very good as this is the first time we can ride on the bike again with a large group of people for a couple of years,” Wong, a three-time Asian Games road race gold medallist, said. “With restrictions on quarantine measures being removed gradually, we can certainly bring international races back next year.”
Hong Kong team member Leung Ka-yu, who finished second in the eight-lap, 30-km men’s open race along Salisbury Road, was still pondering his future.
“I haven’t decided if I would stay with the team until next year’s Asian Games,” he said. “I have been struggling with my form when competing against the world’s best at the recent track World Cup series. I may need a change of the coaching method before I can make a decision.”
Cheng Wang-hin won the race with Kong Lam lifting the women’s title in the 7.4-km open event.