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.”