The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon is back with a spectacular new route and an exciting virtual reality ride experience.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board recently announced that the hugely popular event will make its keenly-anticipated return on January 16, 2022, and for the first time will include the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. A free virtual ride experience will also be offered to Filipino cyclists who are unable to join in person.
HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng said the event would feature two “first” elements.
“This year’s Hong Kong Cyclothon will not only be the first sports event held on the world’s longest bridge-tunnel sea crossing as it is taking a whole new route on the HZMB, but also the first time a virtual experience has been incorporated into the event, offering cyclists worldwide who are unable to take part physically a thrilling and immersive experience of racing over the landmark bridge.
“These special features are a pilot run for future intercity events and it also consolidates Hong Kong’s status as the international tourism event capital in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). I sincerely hope participants from other cities in the Area will come and ride with us in the years to come.”
Adam Kwok, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), the Hong Kong Cyclothon’s long-time title and charity sponsor, remarked in his speech, “Every time, the Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon brings new enhancements for everyone. This time, we will have a rare opportunity to change the cycling route from the Tsing Ma Bridge to the Hong Kong Section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. I’m sure Hong Kong cycling enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to this magnificent route!
“The event will also continue to uphold SHKP’s spirit of Sports-for-Charity. In addition to allocating a part of the public registration fee for charity, our Group will make additional matching donations in the ratio of 1:5, meaning for every HK$100 an individual rider contributes, SHKP will pitch in HK$500, thus benefiting more people in need. We hope the public will keep the passion of the Tokyo Olympics and the National Games alive, by continuing to support the athletes and sports development in Hong Kong, and spend more time doing sports themselves.”
For Filipino Cyclists participating virtually:
To share the excitement of racing on the bridge as widely as possible, a free virtual race experience is being introduced to allow cyclists from the Philippines and the rest of the world that are unable to join in person to enjoy a mesmerising simulation of the experience.
To enhance the event’s appeal, this year’s free Virtual Races will be launched to recreate the 26-km actual route of the HZMB. Participants can feel the authentic ups and downs and resistance of the scene in an immersive virtual journey. E-sports elements such as timed acceleration zones are also included to add excitement to the ride.
Members of the public and cyclists can also use their own training bike stations and join the virtual races directly through the app. Participants can check their time and ranking upon completion of the route.
For Filipino Cyclists currently based in Hong Kong:
The HKTB has introduced stringent anti-infection measures for the event to ensure the safety of cyclists and spectators. All riders are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before the event (on or before 2 January) and to provide a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test within 48 hours before the event. The event plans to have a limit of 3,000 participants in view of COVID-19 safeguards and traffic restrictions for the bridge area.
As the Cyclothon features a new route requiring a higher degree of technical skill, participants must have previously completed a ride of at least 30 km in the Hong Kong Cyclothon between 2015 and 2018. Participants can prepare for the new route by trying the virtual races beforehand.
Registration for the event opened on November 20. Cyclists who previously signed up for the 2019 Hong Kong Cyclothon can register in advance and will receive a 20% discount when they successfully enroll. If registrations received exceed the planned quota, participants will be selected in a draw.
A Never-before-taken Route
The Hong Kong Cyclothon this year will first move to the Hong Kong Section of the HZMB Hong Kong Section. Cyclists will start from the HZMB Hong Kong Port and pass by the Scenic Hill Tunnel through the highway between Airport Channel and the western waters, returning along the way before reaching the HKSAR boundary.