The Binh Duong International Women’s Cycling Tournament: Biwase Cup 2019 kicked off in the southern province of Binh Duong on March 8.

Jutatip of Thailand comes first at the first stage of the tournament (Photo:sggp.org.vn)

The annual tournament has drawn the participation of 80 female cyclists in nine domestic and seven foreign teams, including two from Japan, and one each from the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia.

The first stage of the tournament took place following the opening ceremony, with a length of 66 km around Binh Duong city. Thai cyclist Jutatip Maneephan won first place, followed by Jupha Somnet of Malaysia and Chaniporn Batriya from Thailand. 

On March 9, the cyclists will enter the 102 km second stage, starting from Dong Nai southern province to the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The competition – co-organised by the Vietnam Cycling and Sport Motors Federation and the Binh Duong Water Supply Sewerage-Environment Co., Ltd., (Biwase) – will run through March 16.

With a total length of over 800 km, female cyclists will compete in nine stages and conquer sloping passes such as Bao Loc and Prenn in Lam Dong province, Cu Hin in the central province of Nha Trang, and Vinh Hy in the central province of Ninh Thuan.

The cash prizes to be won amount to a total of nearly 400 million VND (17,230 USD). –VNA