Jutatip vows to give her all in the final stage of the 2026 Tour of Thailand cycling race.
“Beez” Jutatip Maneepan continued her strong performance by winning the first Intermediate Sprint (IS1) in the international women's road cycling race, the "Women's Tour of Thailand 2026" Stage 2. For the final stage, she promises to fight with full effort. The stage winner was Chen Hongjin from the XDS China Women's team, who took the yellow jersey. Nguyen Thi That from the Vietnam national team won the Best ASEAN award, wearing the purple jersey, and also claimed the sprint leader’s green jersey. Meanwhile, "Sergeant Major Muek" adjusted plans by relocating the Thai national cycling team’s training camp for the 20th Asian Games from Chiang Mai province to Phitsanulok or Nakhon Nayok provinces to avoid PM2.5 pollution problems.
The international women's road cycling race "Women's Tour of Thailand 2026," competing for the royal trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, took place from 31 March to 2 April 2026, covering routes in Nong Khai province with a total distance of 297.10 kilometers. The opening ceremony for Stage 2 on 1 April was held at Lan Nakha Boekfa, the Phaya Naga Firework Viewing Point, Phon Phisai district. It was presided over by Mr. Paitoon Mahachuenjai, Deputy Governor of Nong Khai, with the presence of General Decha Hemkrasri, 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, along with the association’s executive committee and various government officials.
Stage 2 began from Lan Nakha Boekfa, the Phaya Naga Firework Viewing Point at Wat Thai, proceeding through Phon Phisai district, Rattanawapi district, Phau Rai district, returning to Phon Phisai, and finishing at the Nong Khai Provincial Central Stadium, covering 109.50 kilometers. The award ceremony was attended by Mr. Paitoon Mahachuenjai, Deputy Governor of Nong Khai, General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand, and other officials who presented awards to the athletes.
Stage 2 results saw a large group finish together. The winner was Chen Hongjin from the XDS China Women's team, second was Yanina Kuskova from Kazakhstan’s national team, and third was Nguyen Thi That from Vietnam’s national team, all clocking 2:46:54. The best-performing Thai cyclist was "Beez" Lt. Jutatip Maneepan from Thailand Women’s Cycling, who placed 9th with the same time of 2:46:54.
The Intermediate Sprint (IS) awards went to Lt. Jutatip Maneepan for IS1, Nguyen Thi That for IS2, and the Most Combative Rider award went to Mariya Yelkina from Kazakhstan’s national team.
The overall race leader remains Valeriya Zakarkina from China’s GNC-Finx Girl Power team with a total time of 5:18:33, continuing to wear the yellow jersey. Nguyen Thi That from Vietnam holds the Best ASEAN award, wearing the purple jersey, ranking second overall with 5:18:42. Lt. Jutatip Maneepan dropped to sixth place with a total time of 5:18:52. Nguyen Thi That also leads the sprint points classification, wearing the green jersey. Full results are available at www.tourofthailand.in.th.
After the race, General Decha revealed that he had closely followed the competition and that the Thai athletes performed well with no injuries. He noted that Jutatip improved from the first day by securing the first Intermediate Sprint. She saved energy at the second sprint to prepare for the final sprint according to the coaching staff’s strategy. He commented that for Stage 3, the final stage, it would be quite challenging for Jutatip to claim the Best ASEAN title since she trails Nguyen Thi That by 10 seconds. To overtake her, she would have to win both Intermediate Sprints and beat her in the final sprint. However, he did not want to pressure the athlete, simply hoping she would perform her best.
General Decha also mentioned adjustments to the training camp plan ahead of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Originally, the team was to train in Chiang Mai, but due to high PM2.5 pollution levels in northern provinces, especially Chiang Mai, the plan was changed to relocate the camp to either Phitsanulok, where there are mountainous routes at Ban Rak Thai, or Nakhon Nayok, which offers similar terrain with routes up Khao Yai mountain resembling Nagoya’s geography. Afterward, the athletes will be given 1-2 weeks of rest following a demanding series of competitions.
"Beez" Jutatip said she felt physically better than in Stage 1 thanks to proper rest, noticing smoother leg movement. Despite hot weather, high-speed racing, and not being at 100% fitness, she tried to perform her best at every point without pressure, securing the first Intermediate Sprint. She wanted to win the second sprint but conserved energy for the final sprint. She acknowledged that the last stage posed a tough challenge as her sprinting is not yet at full capacity, but she will try her best.
The final Stage 3 on 2 April will start with an opening ceremony at Lan Phaya Naga (Boeng Vieng Cultural Plaza) in Si Chiang Mai district at 08:30, presided over by Mr. Jamluk Kanphet, Deputy Governor of Nong Khai. The route will begin at the Phaya Naga viewpoint in Si Chiang Mai, pass through Kong Nang subdistrict, Tha Bo district, and Pako subdistrict, finishing in front of Nong Khai Provincial Central Stadium, covering 81.90 kilometers. The race will be broadcast live on Facebook Live and ThaiPBS YouTube starting at 08:30.