Cross-country cycling tourney to open in northern Vietnam

HANOI, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Over 200 cyclists from Vietnam and other countries will take part in a cross-country cycling tournament slated for Oct. 22 in northern Vinh Phuc province.

Men and women professional and amateur cyclists from Vietnam, Germany, Spain and New Zealand will pedal through picturesque villages, roads around Dai Lai Lake and slopes, the Vietnam Cycling Federation said on Wednesday.

Becoming an Olympic sport in 1999, cross-country cycling is the only form of mountain biking competed at the Olympics.