Gangjin-gun Hosts National Road Cycling Competition to Commemorate Samiljeol

Held for 4 days from the 3rd to the 6th of next month across Gangjin-gun

Full-scale quarantine efforts to ensure a COVID-19 safe event

In January, the national cycling team candidates visited Gangjin-gun to conduct winter training camp. (Photo by Gangjin-gun)

[Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Jeonnam Gangjin-gun (Governor Lee Seung-ok) announced on the 24th that it will hold the 68th Samiljeol Commemorative National Road Cycling Competition for four days from the 3rd to the 6th of next month.

This competition is the first event marking the opening of this year's cycling season, sponsored by Gangjin-gun and organized by the Korea Cycling Federation.

Elite male and female cyclists from across the country will compete in three races in total, including a 158 km individual road race starting in front of Gangjin Sports Complex and a criterium race held on the outer road of Gangjin Sports Complex.

The criterium race, which is relatively short at 1.3 km per lap for 23 laps totaling 30 km, maintains an average speed of over 50 km/h due to the nature of the event, making it a more thrilling race than any other.

On the first and second days of the competition, the 3rd and 4th, the race will proceed on a long-distance course starting from the Sports Complex, passing the Fire Station, Kkachinaejae, Pulchijae, and Seongjeon-myeon, and finishing in front of Gangjin U Market. On the third day, the 5th, the race will proceed on a short-distance course starting from the Sports Complex, passing the Fire Station, Kkachinaejae, Jakcheon Middle School, Honggyogwan, and Gundoong Hwabang Village, and finishing in front of the Agricultural Technology Center.

The criterium race held on the last day was previously held on the outer road of Seongjeon Industrial Complex, but from this year, it will be held on the outer road of Gangjin Sports Complex.

Since the end of last year until now, about 20 teams including the national cycling team candidates, Eumseong County Office, Jeonbuk Sports High School, and Samyangsa have been improving their performance through training camps in Gangjin-gun. Also, teams scheduled to participate in the competition are steadily arriving in Gangjin-gun.

Gangjin-gun requires all participating athletes to submit COVID-19 test results as a mandatory condition to hold a safe competition from COVID-19.

Additionally, all races will be held without spectators, visits by athletes' parents to Gangjin will be prohibited, and preparations such as hand sanitizers and masks will be thoroughly made to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For vehicle control to ensure the safety of cyclists and prevent accidents, the county plans to hold a successful competition through the dedicated service of the Jeollanam-do Road Management Office, Gangjin Police Station, and Gangjin-gun officials.

Governor Lee Seung-ok stated, "Through the 68th Samiljeol Commemorative Gangjin Tour National Road Cycling Competition, we will do our best to ensure that each athlete and official can stay comfortably in Gangjin and put all our efforts into revitalizing the local economy," and added, "We will also do our utmost to ensure that quarantine measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are not neglected."

Meanwhile, the 2021 Gangjin Tour Masters Competition, which usually attracts 500 bicycle enthusiasts nationwide, was canceled this year due to the impact of COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.