Hong Kong to Host Major Cycling Event in October

Hong Kong is to host a major cycling event which will consist of cycling races, activities and a carnival.

The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon will take place on 10 and 11 October 2015 and is being organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Among the races are criterium races recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale, which will be staged in Tsim Sha Tsui, with professional cyclists hailing from around the world taking part.

There will also be races of different levels for cycling fans. These races will cover different parts of Hong Kong, including the 35 km Challenge Ride, which will see the iconic Tsing Ma Bridge opened for the first time for a cycling event and also allow participants to cycle around the International Commerce Centre (ICC), the tallest building in Hong Kong.

Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB, said, “The sport of cycling has caught on in Hong Kong in recent years, with many cyclists from the city earning international recognition. By staging the large-scale Cyclothon, the HKTB wants to reinforce Hong Kong’s standing as Asia’s events capital and gain additional international exposure for the city. In the long run, we hope to expand the scale of the event so that it will become a major annual event in the Pearl River Delta region when the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is completed.” 

There are a total of eight cycling categories in the “Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon”, which will be conducted over a two-day period.

On the first day (Saturday, 10 October), the following four criterium races will be held in East Tsim Sha Tsui in the evening:

International Criterium Race: International professional cyclists invited by the organiser;
Women’s Open Race: Professional cyclists meeting specific requirements;
Men’s Open Race:  Professional cyclists meeting specific requirements; and the
CEO Charity Ride: Invited persons.

Amateur cyclists and cycling fans can sign up for the following cycling activities, which will be held in the morning of Sunday, 11 October.:

35km Challenge Ride: Professional or serious amateur cyclists;
10km Community Ride: Members of the public;
Kids & Youth Rides: Children aged 6 to 15; and the
Family Fun Ride: Children and parents.

Enrolment for the cycling races and activities will begin on Saturday 25 July, from 10am. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure the safety of participants, all applicants for the 35km Challenge Ride, 10km Community Ride and Kids & Youth Rides must pass a skill test arranged by the organiser, or provide proof of participation in other cycling races or activities recognised by the Cycling Association of Hong Kong.

Part of the enrolment fees for the cycling races and activities (HK$100 for individuals and HK$18,000 for teams), including all the enrolment fees for the CEO Charity Ride, will be donated to designated charitable organisations.

The “Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon” includes not only two days of cycling races and activities, but also a carnival at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, where there will be food and beverages, games and cycling-themed booths, and live music performances.