This year’s Tour de Taiwan cycling race began yesterday, with Adam Phelan of Australia taking the lead on the first day of the 13-day round-the-nation race.
Phelan won the 2km prologue in Taipei’s Xinyi District in 2 minutes, 43.02 seconds. He also won the best cyclist title in the under-23 category of the prologue ride.
Phelan said it was his first time competing in Tour de Taiwan, which was launched in 1978.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
Japanese rider Junya Sano, who is part of the Italian team, was the first Asian to cross the finish line.
Hong Kong cyclist Wong Kam To, who has won Tour de Taiwan three times, did not perform well in the prologue, finishing in 67th place. He said he had to slow down on the corners because of moderate rain.
The international road race, organized by the Chinese Taipei Cycling Association, is one of the qualifying events for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Nineteen teams from 14 countries and areas, including Taiwan, are competing in the 1,300km race that starts in Taipei.
The organizers said 20 teams had signed up to participate, but Germany pulled out over fears of possible radioactive fallout from earthquake-stricken Japan.
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