CYCLIST RACE THROUGH STREETS AND COUNTRYSIDE: BOARDING MY THUAN FERRY: CYCLISTS CROSS FINISHING LINE: WINNER RECEIVES GARLAND FROM GIRLS: OFFICIALS APPLAUSE: WINNER RECEIVES PRIZE.




Initials


SPORT: CYCLE RACING

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Background: SIXTY-SIX CYCLIST LAST FRIDAY (23 JANUARY) SAFELY COMPLETED ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST HAZARDOUS SPORTING EVENTS - A SIXDAY, 475-MILE (761 KMS) ROAD RACE THROUGH WAR-TORN SOUTH VIETNAM.

THE RACE BEGAN IN THE CENTRAL COASTAL CITY OF NHA TRANG AND TOOK THE COMPETITORS THROUGH ELEVEN OF SOUTH VIETNAM'S FORTY-FOUR PROVINCES TO LONG XUYEN IN THE MEKONG DELTA.

FEARS THAT THE VIET CONG WOULD AMBUSH THE RIDERS PROVED GROUNDLESS ALTHOUGH GUERILLAS MADE ONE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SABOTAGE THE EVENT WHEN THEY FIRED AN ANTI-TANK ROCKET JUST BEFORE THE CYCLISTS WERE DUE TO PASS THROUGH BAO LOC CITY. ALTHOUGH A SOUTH VIETNAMESE SOLDIER WAS KILLED AND TWO OTHERS WOUNDED, THE RACE WAS HELD UP FOR ONLY NINETY-MINUTES. HALF AN-HOUR EARLIER AMERICAN TROOPS FOUND A MINE ON THE ROUTE AND SAFELY DETONATED IT.

THE ONLY INJURIES TO RIDERS - MOSTLY SERVICEMEN - WERE CAUSED BY SPILLS OF THE 73 STARTERS 66 CROSSED THE FINISHING LINE.

THE WINNER WAS A 27-YEAR OLD ARMY SERGEANT, BUI VAN HOANG, WHO WAS PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR 70-POUNDS STERLING (ABOUT 150 U.S. DOLLARS).

THE SPONSORS DECLARED THE RACE A HUGE SUCCESS AND NEXT YEAR PLAN TO HOLD ANOTHER - POSSIBLY FROM THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE IN THE FAR NORTH TO CA MAU AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF THE MEKONG DELTA.