Held on November 8, the Men’s Individual Road Cycling Race at China’s 15th National Games marked a historic milestone as the first cross-boundary event in National Games history, spanning the regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
The 231.8-kilometer race set off from the Zhuhai Museum, taking 103cyclists across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge. They entered Hong Kong and Macao through seamless customs clearance,at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. After more than five hours on the road, all riders successfully crossed the finish line.
Hong Kong cyclist Tso Kai Kwong said he was surprised by how quickly they reached Hong Kong: “People may think the three regions are far apart, but after just over an hour of riding, we were already there.” He described the experience as “even faster than driving.”
Tianjin rider Xue Ming highlighted the smooth cross-border process and the rare opportunity for so many athletes to cycle across the bridge at once. Riding past Hong Kong Disneyland and being cheered on by local students left him with vivid and emotional memories.
Silvermedalist Xue Chaohua said the race allowed athletes to “experience the charm of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” noting the powerful impression of cycling the entire length of the massive sea bridge.
For many participants, the event was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Without this race, I might never travel across so many places so quickly in a single day,” one cyclist said.
As riders crossed three regions on a groundbreaking route, the race became more than a competition, it stood as a powerful symbol of connection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. With the National Games underway, more historic moments are still to come.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Script: Li Fangwang
Video&Poster: Guo Hongda
Photo: Guo Hongda
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He, Ouyang Yan
