Japanese cyclists will join a daunting uphill bike race in Hualien County tomorrow as a gesture of gratitude for Taiwan’s assistance after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan in March.
The second Maxxis Taroko International Hill Climb will test the endurance of 250 cyclists from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in a grueling 90km ride from sea level to an altitude of 3,275m.
Through its participation in the competition, the Japanese team hopes to show its appreciation for Taiwan’s disaster aid, Shinichi Fukushima said in Taipei on Thursday.
Taiwan donated about ￥20 billion (US$261 million) in aid to victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. Ninety percent of the money came from the private sector.
Fukushima, 39, who won stage five of the Tour de Taiwan in March, will wear T-shirts that say “Thank You Taiwan” during the race, as will his teammates. Hearts have also been printed on the sleeves of their racing outfits to symbolize gratitude.
One of the about 30 Japanese cyclists in the race will be Juki Taguchi, 75, who finished the route last year in seven hours and five minutes.
The riders will depart from the seaside township of Hsincheng (新城) on a route that will take them through Taroko National Park and up to Wuling (武陵), the highest point in the country accessible by road.
The toughest segment of the course is the last 10km, which rises 1,000m to the end point, said Lin Te-ho (林德和), vice secretary-general of the Taiwan Cyclist Foundation, which is organizing the event.
Lin said the 90km route, which ends more than 3,000m above sea level, is an unusual challenge.
It is likely that only about one-third of the cyclists will make it to the finish line, Lin said.
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