Hong Kong Cycling Championships set for August return if social distancing allows
- Organisers expect 300 riders in road race and time trial but rules only allow for maximum of 50 people
- Cyclists keen to return to racing, says official, after no road events in Asia since last October
Social distancing measures will be key to the Hong Kong Cycling Championships slated for August going ahead, as large scale sporting events look to return as the pandemic situation eases.
The Hong Kong Cycling Association plans to stage two disciplines – the individual time trial and a road race – at the annual showpiece, with an estimated 300 riders each. The events will take place in Tai Po and Tin Shui Wai on August 22 and 23 respectively.
“The number of cyclists will certainly exceed the requirements of the existing social distancing rules,” the association’s executive director Alex Wong Chi-yu said.
“We have no idea if we can still stage the event if the current regulation remains unchanged in August but we have to plan ahead. We need to apply for road permits for the two events from relevant government departments and that takes time.
“We can only keep our fingers crossed and hopefully the pandemic situation can improve gradually until the government further relaxes the rule.”