Competing in the amateur division, Nam, 61, became the first Vietnamese athlete to participate in the over-60s individual time trial at the tournament on Saturday.

Athlete Hoang Hai Nam competes at the 2025 Asian Road Cycling Championships with a bicycle, shoes and hat borrowed from host country Thailand.

His challenge was compounded by an unexpected setback as all the Vietnamese team's bicycles and other essential equipment were destroyed in a fire upon arrival in Thailand.

Nam even had to borrow a helmet, glasses and a water bottle from the organizers and fellow athletes just before the race, aside from a bicycle. He could only get the shoes one hour before competing.

Furthermore, Nam discovered moments before the start that his race chip and bib number were incorrect. He also learned three minutes before the race that the actual distance was 10.7 km rather than the originally announced 21.4 km.

Despite these disruptions, Nam adjusted his strategy on the spot, choosing to leave his water bottle behind after taking a quick sip to reduce weight.

Nam powered through the time trial, recording a time of 15 minutes and 30.867 seconds at an average speed of 41.38 kph. This stellar performance earned him the gold medal, with a Mongolian cyclist taking silver and a Thai cyclist earning bronze.

After his win, Nam thanked both the members of the Vietnam and Thailand cycling teams and said that the result exceeded his expectations.

Nam began cycling a decade ago upon his doctor's recommendation due to arthritis. Nicknamed "Iron Man" by his peers, he has transitioned from cycling to swimming and running, achieving big in numerous competitions both domestically and internationally.

On Feb. 13, Nam is set to compete in the 64.2 km event at the tournament. Given that the best bikes are reserved for national team athletes, he plans to continue practicing on a borrowed Thai bike.

"I don't have my own shoes, so I'll have to borrow them again," Nam said.

Apart from Nam's gold medal, Vietnam has yet to secure a medal in the first two days of the competition. Pham Le Xuan Loc placed 19th out of 21 cyclists in the U23 individual time trial, while the men's and women's youth relay teams finished fifth out of six.

The 2025 Asian Cycling Championships, running from Feb. 7 to 16, bring together nearly 500 top cyclists from across Asia, including national teams, U23 and U18 youth teams, and master-level competitors.

The tournament, part of the International Cycling Union competition system, provides valuable experience for athletes preparing for the upcoming 33rd SEA Games.

The Vietnam cycling team faced major challenges upon arrival on Feb. 5, when a fire destroyed their 29 bicycles and competition gear. The host country stepped in to lend the team bikes and other essentials. Additionally, Vietnam also sent 10 replacement bikes for professional cyclists.

At previous editions of the championships, Vietnam achieved notable success. In 2023, Nguyen Thi That won gold in the road race and secured a spot at the Olympics. In 2024, she added a silver medal to her collection.

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