Welcome to the official page of the Coupe de Huế Gran Fondo Sportive Cycling Event. Come and join in the fun! The Coupe de Huế Gran Fondo Sportive is an exciting, new and unique mass participation cycling event now going into its second year after a successful event in August 2018, intended to promote cycling in Vietnam on an international stage. This event is fully supported by Vietnam’s national Cycling Federation. Never before achieved, it is the first Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – registered Gran Fondo Sportive event in Vietnam in 2019 on their Cycling for All Calendar and only one of a limited number on the list in Southeast Asia.
Hue, The Eternal City
Huế is a city in central Vietnam, once the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors from 1802 to 1945 and capital of the protectorate of Annam. A major attraction is its vast, 19th century Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City, once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theater. Huế is located on the banks of the Perfume River, just a few miles inland from the sea to the east. Huế is well-known for its scenic beauties, culinary arts, internationally-known artists and scholars, and its historic monuments, which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
It is also commonly regarded as Vatican of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Well-known for its warm hospitality, Huế also has a weekend walking street as well as an increasing wealth of quality bars and restaurants to cater for all tastes and budgets and with an international airport link it is a very convenient choice for such an event.
EVENT CALENDAR
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th
7:00 pm onwards: Hue Half Marathon Night Run. Various distances.
Live music on the stage along with the Expo.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
7:00 am onwards Kit bag registration, Expo, food and a range of music (from 8am) throughout the day to allow people to register
7:30 am Official opening ceremony all welcome
8:00 am – 11:00 am Teen Sprint (10km)
Family Fondo Cycle ride (10km)
11: 00 am – 12:00 pm Kids Challenge Dash – different distances depending on age. All Children welcome (3-10 years old), small prizes for winners
12:00 pm Medal presentation ceremony for the morning’s events
1:00 pm Timing chip collection for Gran Fondo opens
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm SUP Paddle board race on the Perfume River
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Perfume River Clean up in partnership with Vietnam Green and Clean
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Afternoon Harley and Vespa drive by/parade via La Residence Hotel to arrive to Phu Van lau Park just before 5pm. To remain until 7pm
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm Briefing by the main stage for all riders (Vietnamese and English)
6:00 pm onwards Carb load dinner available at the expo for all registered riders in the main stage area, live music and DJ to play in the park. Open to the public and participants.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd
5:30 am Riders assemble and Welcome by MC and thanks to Sponsors – riders to get in Pens. Music and Coffee available
6:00 am Warm for the Coupe de Huế Gran Fondo Sportive 150km and the Half Fondo 70km will be by the Citadel in Phu Van Lau Park. Active race timing will be in place. Mass start for all in small intervals depending on racing category. The Gran Fondo will include a KOM and KOS Challenge (the KOM will also be the first event as part of the “3 Kings Challenge”).
Coupe de Hue Riders will ride
+ 7h00: Departure group 1
+ 7h05: Departure group 2
+ 7h10: Departure group 3
+ 7h15: Departure group 1
Half Fondo Riders
+ 7h30: Departure group 1
+ 7h35: Departure group 2
First riders expected to return at 12pm onwards
2:30 pm Awards & Podium – Expo entertainment with food and drink throughout the afternoon
3:00 pm Close
5:00 pm onwards Extended Happy hours and socials held at partner Bars / Restaurants in town into the evening
Partner hotels included in the packages will likely offer early breakfast options and event map for registered riders (check with your hotel).
Hue Sports Bar (10 Phạm Ngũ Lão) is the official Bar for the event and hopefully will be streaming the cycling live, pop along to watch and enjoy great food and drink – Enjoy a free Huda beer or soft drink with each meal purchased
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd
7:00 am Riders assemble and Welcome by MC and thanks to Sponsors – riders to get ready. Music and Coffee available
8:00 am KOM #2 – 16KM Bach Ma Hill Climb begins
11:00 am Hill climb finishes
12:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch
3:00 pm Riders assemble at the start line and Welcome by MC and thanks to Sponsors – riders to get ready. Music and Coffee available
4:00 pm KOM # 3 – 10KM Hai Van Pass Climb begins
6:00 pm Hill climb finishes
7:00 – 9:00 pm Riders assemble for the 3 Kings Awards ceremony at Laguna Langco Golf Club
Coupe de Hue Gran Fondo 150km – 22nd September
Half Fondo 70km – 22nd September
Route map for Coupe De Hue Half Fondo 2019 by Richard Casswell on plotaroute.com