Elite Cyclists, Gearless in Thailand: Temporary Bikes to the Rescue!

On the morning of Thursday last week, a meeting was convened between tournament organizers and the Vietnamese cycling team to address the truck fire that caused extensive damage to their equipment.

A mutual agreement was reached, wherein the Vietnamese team would borrow bikes from the host team and other participating teams for the duration of the competition.

Additionally, the organizers took initiative by gathering information about the cyclists’ sizes, as well as their needs for helmets and shoes, to ensure they were provided with suitable gear.

Thailand’s Vietnam Motorcycle and Bicycle Association has stepped up to the challenge, offering seven individual time trial bikes and helmets for the Vietnamese team’s use, along with ongoing efforts to procure shoes and pedals by Thursday.

In parallel, the association is expediting the shipment of road bikes from Vietnam, expected to arrive in Thailand on February 10, ensuring a timely solution.

A critical aspect of the meeting was the discussion surrounding compensation for the severe damage incurred by the Vietnamese cycling team’s equipment. Both parties are actively working towards a resolution, aiming to finalize it by Thursday.

The Vietnamese cycling contingent, comprising five female riders, two male riders, and a group of young, aspiring athletes, had embarked on their journey to Thailand on Wednesday, full of anticipation for the 2025 Asian Road Cycling Championships, scheduled from Friday to February 16.

En route to the competition venue in Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand, the team traveled in shuttle buses while their bicycles and specialized equipment were transported separately in a truck.

However, misfortune struck when the truck encountered an accident and burst into flames, resulting in the complete destruction of all 30 bikes belonging to the Vietnamese team—an unfortunate turn of events.

Among the lost bicycles were those of individual time trial specialists, Nguyen Tuan Vu and Nguyen Thi Thu Mai, each valued at a substantial sum of over VND250 million (approximately US$9,902). Nguyen Thi Thu Mai’s bike, worth up to VND150 million ($5,941), was also among the casualties.

The financial impact of this incident is significant, with total damages estimated to run into several billion Vietnamese dong.

It is worth noting that the burnt truck also carried equipment for the Singapore team, but the full extent of their losses remains unknown.

While the Vietnamese team has been graciously provided with borrowed bikes, they face a challenging task ahead. For professional cyclists, the familiarity and comfort with their own bikes are paramount, as each athlete has undergone extensive training tailored to their specific equipment.

As a result, the team must now contend with the added difficulty of adapting to unfamiliar bicycles, which may hinder their ability to perform at their peak levels.

Nevertheless, the Vietnamese cycling team remains determined to compete in the individual time trials from Friday to February 11, followed by the road events, showcasing their resilience and dedication to the sport.

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