About

Constructed to be Vietnam’s toughest road cycling event boasting over 3,100m of climbs throughout 155km over the 2 day weekend. We have prepared an exciting and unique cycling event, now going into its 3rd year, to promote cycling in Vietnam whilst putting the great city of Hué on the map. This event is fully supported by Vietnam’s national Cycling Federation and it is the only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) registered Gran Fondo event in Vietnam in 2020 on their “Cycling for All Calendar” and only one of a limited number on the list in Southeast Asia.

Get yourselves ready for a truly challenging event.
One KOM and a choice of two race distances will test all levels of riders

Stage 1

Bach Ma Laguna Challenge
15.2 km time trial
1.260 m at 8.3% average

This epic climb, first completed in 2019, is in a natural park that has been generously closed off for our race. No cyclists are permitted on the mountain except during Coupe de Hue. You will race on the most beautiful and challenging climb Vietnam has to offer, from sea level to 1.260m in just 15km! 90% of it in the shade with astonishing Hue province views right to the top, it is simply a breathtaking route that we are privileged to have all to ourselves on race day.

The best is, the KOM, will remain unbeaten for at least 1 year guaranteed! As no one can cycle there except us during Coupe de Hue.

But Bach Ma is much more. A French-era hill station, this national park reaches a peak of 1450m at Bach Ma Mountain, only 18km from the coast. The cool climate attracted the French, who built over a hundred villas here.

More than 1400 species of plants, including rare ferns and orchids, have been discovered in Bach Ma, representing a fifth of the flora of Vietnam. There are 132 kinds of mammals, three of which were only discovered in the 1990s: the antelope-like saola, the Truong Son muntjac and the giant muntjac. Nine species of primates are also present, including small numbers of the rare red-shanked Douc langur. This area is as undiscovered as it is stunning

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Stage 2

Gran Fondo Hue – A luoi – Hue 140km 1.800m
Super Fondo  70km 350m

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Make sure you bring your best legs, you’ll need them!
Except for the last 15km entering Hue, the rest of this stage is either up or down. Be ready for a meandering road that will go over a beautiful canyon, over mountain passes and through a lovely landscape of fruit and spice trees, all the way to A Luoi and back to Hue. This demanding yet peaceful valley is where the emperors of the Imperial Nguyen Dynasty were laid to rest.

A Luoi is a mountainous district that lies between A Shau Valley and the border with Salavan and Sekong provinces of Laos. Vietnam War veterans and historians will be familiar with the name, as the district encompasses 100 kilometers of the Historic Ho Chi Minh Trail. It is also the home of the beautiful Katu, and Van Kieu minority group who have been here for decades

These Stages will finish right in front of Hue citadel (Phu Van Lau) along the banks of the Perfume river bank.

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Agenda

FRIDAY, 25th SEPTEMBER 2020

Time & Duration Activities Venue
14:00 – 22:00

Registration and Racekit pickup

Expo opens – bike drop

*also option to collect at Angsana Lang co Hotel 10am to 8pm

 Phu Van Lau
17h00

Opening ceremony
18:00

Race Briefing for Bach Ma Laguna KOM Challenge

SATURDAY, 26th SEPTEMBER 2020

Time & Duration Activities Venue
5:00

Gathering at Phu Van Lau

 Phu Van Lau
5:30

Leave to Bach Ma by Bus / Trucks

 Bach Ma
6:30

Arrival at Bach Ma
7:00

Time trial Age group category
8:00

Time trial Open group category

 Bach Ma
10:30

Buses return to Hue Citadel every 15 minutes

 Phu Van Lau
14:00

Enjoy Hue City at your leisure

 Phu Van Lau
17:15

Briefing Gran Fondo

 Phu Van Lau
17:45

Awards Bach Ma Laguna KOM Challenge

 Phu Van Lau
18:00

Catering opens

 Phu Van Lau

SUNDAY, 27th SEPTEMBER 2020

Time & Duration Activities Venue
4:30

Opens bag collection

 Phu Van Lau
5:15

Neutralized ride to Start point

 Start Line
5:45

Open category Gran Fondo start
5:55

Age group Gran Fondo start
6:05

Half Fondo start
11:00

Catering open

 Phu Van Lau
12:30

Awards & Podium– Expo entertainment with food and drink

 Phu Van Lau
13:00

Closing ceremony

 Phu Van Lau
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