Atit wins ASEAN Best Rider at the Tour of Thailand 2026 cycling competition.
“Sergeant Major Muek” expressed satisfaction with the success of the international long-distance cycling race, the Tour of Thailand 2026. Foreign cyclists praised Thailand’s excellent hospitality and care. Meanwhile, "Pradarn Samanmit," Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, was impressed by the lively atmosphere, noting the event promoted tourism and stimulated the economy in Nong Khai province. Atit Pulard, a Thai national cyclist who competed in the 20th Asian Games, was awarded the ASEAN Best Rider title and the purple jersey. The Thai national team placed second in the ASEAN team category. The overall winner was Vadim Pronski, a Kazakh cyclist from the Terengganu Cycling Team, who received the royal trophy and the yellow jersey, as well as the King of the Mountains award. The Tour of Thailand 2027 is confirmed to be held in Chiang Rai province.
The international long-distance cycling race, Tour of Thailand 2026, contested for the royal trophy granted by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, took place from 24 March to 2 April 2026. The route covered Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces, totaling 1,113.70 kilometers. The opening ceremony of Stage 6 (the final stage) was held on 29 March at the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 60th Birthday Anniversary Plaza in Nong Khai. The event was presided over by Pradarn Samanmit, Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand for Professional Sports and Boxing, who officially launched the race along with Lieutenant General Decha Hemakrasi, Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), President of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, together with various government officials.
Pradarn Samanmit, Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand for Professional Sports and Boxing, stated that the authority’s main role is to support sports associations in organizing both professional and excellence sports competitions, as well as mass participation sports. The Tour of Thailand 2026 not only promotes professional and elite athletes but also supports tourism. The Cycling Association’s choice to hold the event in Nong Khai, a province along the Mekong River known for its outstanding tourism, is significant.
Pradarn added that the cycling race strongly aligns with government policy by organizing sports in the form of Sport Tourism. It promotes tourism and stimulates the local economy through sports events, increasing income for residents. The lively atmosphere in Nong Khai over the past six days clearly reflects this, with another 3-4 days of competition for the women’s team category remaining. She congratulated the Cycling Association for attracting 20 top teams worldwide, enhancing Thailand’s reputation for hosting world-class cycling events and promoting Thai tourist destinations through live broadcasts by Thai PBS worldwide.
Stage 6 of the race started from the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 60th Birthday Anniversary Plaza, continuing through Tha Bo District, Si Chiang Mai District, Pho Tak District, Phra That Bang Phuan, Nong Song Hong intersection, then finishing at Nong Khai Central Stadium. The distance was 125.50 kilometers. The award ceremony was honored by Saransak Srikruenat, Governor of Nong Khai Province; Lieutenant General Decha Hemakrasi, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand; and various government officials who presented prizes to the cyclists.
The cyclists finished the stage in a large group. The Stage 6 winner was Alexander Salby, a Danish cyclist from China’s Li Ning Star team. Second place went to Pierre Babier from France, representing Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team. Third place was Mohammad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil from the Malaysia Pro Cycling team. All finished with a time of 2:35:41. The highest-placed Thai cyclist was Sergeant Sarawut Sirironnachai, who finished 13th with the same time.
The Intermediate Sprints (IS) awards for the first sprint (IS1) went to Alexander Salby from China’s Li Ning Star team. The second sprint (IS2) winner was Kim Euro from South Korea’s LX Cycling team. Kim Euro also received the Most Combative Rider award.
The overall general classification winner was Vadim Pronski from Kazakhstan, riding for the Terengganu Cycling Team, with a total time of 17:36:10. He received the royal trophy from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the yellow jersey. Second place was Eduardo Sepulveda from Argentina, representing China’s Li Ning Star team, trailing by 3 seconds. Third place went to Daniel Whitehouse from the United Kingdom, of the St George Continental Cycling Team, 9 seconds behind the leader. The best Thai cyclist was Atit Pulard from the Thai national team and Rujira Insurance Winspec team, who finished eighth overall, 38 seconds behind the leader.
The ASEAN Best Rider award went to Atit Pulard, the Thai national cyclist from Rujira Insurance Winspec, with a time of 17:36:48, earning the purple jersey as expected. Second place was Sergeant Sarawut Sirironnachai with 17:37:20, and third was Marvin Mandac from the Go For Gold team of the Philippines with 17:37:48. The sprint points leader was Alexander Salby of Li Ning Star, who wore the green jersey. The King of the Mountains title went to Vadim Pronski from Terengganu Cycling Team, who also wore the polka dot jersey.
The team classification winners were China’s Li Ning Star team with a time of 52:49:01, followed by Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team at 52:49:48, and China’s China Anta-Mentec Cycling team at 52:51:50. The ASEAN team category was won by Go For Gold with 52:53:57, followed by the Thai national team at 52:54:34, and Indonesia’s Nusantara team at 52:55:28. Lieutenant General Decha Hemakrasi, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand, awarded a 300,000 baht bonus to the Thai national cyclists.
After the race, Lieutenant General Decha said the event was a complete success. There were no serious accidents or protests, and spectators lined both sides of the route daily to support the athletes. Foreign cyclists expressed satisfaction with accommodations, food, and the warm hospitality. All confirmed their desire to return next year. The Thai cyclists will rest for about 2-3 weeks before training in Chiang Mai to prepare for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, which features mountainous routes.
Lieutenant General Decha also thanked the people of Nong Khai for warmly welcoming the athletes and the media for worldwide coverage. Next year, the Cycling Association plans to hold the event in Chiang Rai province. Discussions with Governor Chucheep Pongchai of Chiang Rai have taken place, aiming to host the 2027 Tour of Thailand in Chiang Rai, near Myanmar. The route is expected to be as scenic as this year’s in Nong Khai, featuring paths along the Mekong River and beautiful nature. He praised the route planners for selecting excellent courses.
The international women's long-distance cycling race, Women’s Tour of Thailand 2026, will take place from 31 March to 2 April, covering a total distance of 297.10 kilometers. Stage 1 on 31 March will open at 08:30 at the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 60th Birthday Anniversary Plaza in Nong Khai. The opening ceremony will be chaired by Suchart Tonmanee, Nong Khai Deputy Governor, who will also launch the race. The route starts from the plaza, proceeding to Nong Song Hong, Wat Phra That Bang Phuan, Ban Thon, Tha Bo, Phon Sa Wiang Kuk, and Pako, finishing at Nong Khai Central Stadium. The stage covers 105.70 kilometers and will be broadcast live via Facebook Live and Thai PBS’s YouTube channel starting at 08:30.