{
  "id": 13648066,
  "title": "Riders praise new route for annual cyclothon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/riders-praise-new-route-for-annual-cyclothon",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T04:52:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1873484-20261011.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cyclists celebrated the Hong Kong Cyclothon's relocation to the West Kowloon Cultural District and its newly expanded 56-kilometre course, hailing the change as a fresh experience that would bolster interest in cycling and sports tourism. This year, the race began and ended at the West Kowloon Cultural District, with a 50-kilometre non-race option extended to 56 kilometres via a new five-tunnel, three-bridge route. The event also included a 32-kilometre shorter course. The new path featured the Central Kowloon Bypass, connecting Yau Ma Tei and Kai Tak, allowing participants to traverse six districts, including Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, and Kowloon City. Sun Hung Kai Properties' Adam Kwok praised the shift, stating that starting and finishing in the unique West Kowloon Cultural District location would provide riders with a distinctive experience. \"West Kowloon Cultural District is truly unique — combining arts, culture, commerce and sports, a new landmark for Hong Kong,\" Kwok remarked. The move aimed to provide visitors with a new perspective and demonstrate the synergy of sports and tourism in Hong Kong. Olympic medalist Sarah Lee Wai-sze acknowledged Hong Kong's strong performance at the recent Asian Games in Nagoya, which has heightened public attention on cycling. \"With events like the annual Cyclothon, more people getting into cycling, I hope there will be more similar events in future to promote local sports development,\" she said. Lee also lauded the new route's uniqueness and expressed hope that organizers could devise more innovative routes. Another participant, surnamed Lee, emphasized that riding across the Tsing Ma and Ting Kau bridges was particularly memorable, as these bridges are typically only crossed by vehicles. This year's event also introduced a World University Trophy, featuring cyclists from the \"top 100 global institutions\" in Hong Kong, the mainland, and overseas, who competed in the 56-kilometre non-race ride. Additionally, the UCI Class 1.1 Road Race saw 17 professional cycling teams from 11 countries and regions battling on a 100-kilometre route, involving around 100 elite athletes.",
  "summary": "Cyclists on Sunday praised the Hong Kong Cyclothon's move to the West Kowloon Cultural District and the new 56-kilometre course, saying the change offered a fresh experience which would boost interest in cycling and sports tourism. This year, the course's start and end points were located at the West Kowloon Cultural District and the 50-kilometre non-race ride was extended to 56 kilometres on a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "Riders praise new route for annual cyclothon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/riders-praise-new-route-for-annual-cyclothon-13648894",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:52:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}