Third stage of PAN’s cycling tournament finds winner

Covering the distance of 157km, the third stage of the tournament started with a three-lap parade around Son La city. The cyclists then competed along the route from Son La city to Dien Bien Phu city, cycling past the three grandiose mountain passes of Son La, Pha Din, and Tang Quai, of which the 30km-long Pha Din Pass is the longest and highest.

After crossing the Pha Din Pass, the cyclists were divided into two major groups, cycling at moderate speeds in preparation for the upcoming Tang Quai Pass and reach Dien Bien Phu city.  The winner of the Pha Din Pass lap was Ismael Jr. Grospe of the Philippine team, and the first cyclist crossing the Tang Quai Pass was Javier Sarda Prmerez of Ho Chi Minh City VUS.

As the finishing line drew near, the cyclists competed in small groups and each individual tried their utmost for the best results. In the end, cyclist Javier Sarda Prmerez of Ho Chi Minh City VUS sprinted and reached the finishing line first, followed by Mirsamad Pourseyed of Loc Troi Group.

The two foreign teams joining the cycling tournament this time are from Japan and the Philippines. After the third stage from Son La city to Dien Bien Phu city, the two coaches of the two teams held that this stage was the most important and a real challenge for cyclists, as they had to cover the distance of 157km of the mountainous terrains with steep and long passes. They agreed that those who won this stage would be tipped the winner of the tournament.

The same day, at the May-7 Square in Dien Bien Phu city, the organizing panel presented prizes to cyclists with high records in the third stage of the tournament.

At the awarding ceremony, the tournament’s organizers and sponsors handed over VND 20 million (around USD 860) to the National Fund Vietnamese Children of Dien Bien province.

Cyclists compete hard when the finishing line is drawing near.

Despite hot weather, locals welcome the cyclists and the tournament’s organizers along the road.

Javier Sarda Prmerez, the first one to cross the finishing line of the third stage.

Organizers present prizes to the winners of the third stage.

Translated by Huu Duong