"Beez" fought with full effort to secure the ASEAN runner-up position, concluding the Tour of Thailand cycling race.
"Beez" Jutatip Maneephan fought with all her strength to claim the ASEAN runner-up title, closing the international women's long-distance cycling race, the "Women's Tour of Thailand 2026." The championship was won by Valeriya Zakarkina from China's GNC-Finch Girl Power team, who received the Royal Trophy. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi That from the Vietnam national team won the ASEAN title and the sprints championship. "Sergeant Major Muek" expressed satisfaction with the overall success of the event. The plan for the 20th Asian Games preparation involves sending athletes to a training camp at Khao Yai to practice mountain cycling.
The international women's long-distance cycling race "Women's Tour of Thailand 2026" competed for the Royal Trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, held from 31 March to 2 April 2026, covering a total distance of 297.10 kilometers in Nong Khai Province. The opening ceremony of Stage 3 (the final stage) took place on 2 April at Phaya Nak Plaza (Boeng Vieng Cultural Plaza), Si Chiang Mai District, presided over by Mr. Jamluk Kanpetch, Deputy Governor of Nong Khai Province. Also present were "Sergeant Major Muek," 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 board and various government officials.
Mr. Jamluk Kanpetch, Deputy Governor of Nong Khai Province, said on behalf of the people of Nong Khai that they thank the Cycling Association of Thailand for choosing Nong Khai as the venue for this international cycling event. It showcases the province's potential, its beautiful scenery, and longstanding cultural traditions. The roads used in various districts were well prepared, allowing the public to ride along the athletes’ route. It also serves as a great opportunity to raise Nong Khai's profile through live broadcasts by Thai PBS aired worldwide. Importantly, it promotes tourism and stimulates the province’s economy.
The Stage 3 race started at Phaya Nak Plaza (Boeng Vieng Cultural Plaza), Si Chiang Mai District, passing through Kong Nang Subdistrict, Tha Bo District, and Pako Subdistrict, finishing in front of the Nong Khai Provincial Stadium. The distance covered was 81.90 kilometers. The award ceremony was honored by Mr. Jamluk Kanpetch, Deputy Governor of Nong Khai; General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand; and other government officials who presented prizes to the athletes.
The cyclists finished in a large group as before. The Stage 3 winner was Nguyen Thi That from the Vietnam national team; second place went to “Beez” Lieutenant Colonel Jutatip Maneephan from the Thailand Women's Cycling team; third place was Ning Su from China’s Bodywrap L2 Women’s team, all with the same time of 1 hour 54 minutes 37 seconds.
The sprints awards, or Intermediate Sprints points, saw Lieutenant Colonel Jutatip Maneephan winning the first sprint point (IS1) for the Thailand Women's Cycling team. The second sprint point (IS2) was won by Yelizaveta Sklyarova from Kazakhstan’s national team, who also earned the Most Combative Rider award.
The overall winner, leading in cumulative time, was Valeriya Zakarkina from China’s GNC-Finch Girl Power team, with a total time of 7 hours 13 minutes 7 seconds, receiving the Royal Trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, along with the yellow jersey. Second place was Qi Ming Zhu from China’s Li Ning Star Ladies team, 4 seconds behind the leader. Third place went to Nguyen Thi That from Vietnam’s national team, 12 seconds behind. Lieutenant Colonel Jutatip Maneephan of the Thailand Women's Cycling team finished fourth overall, just 13 seconds behind the leader.
The best ASEAN cyclist award went to Nguyen Thi That of Vietnam's national team with a total time of 7 hours 13 minutes 19 seconds, earning the purple jersey as expected. Second place was Lieutenant Colonel Jutatip Maneephan from Thailand Women's Cycling with 7 hours 13 minutes 20 seconds. Third place was Elizabeth Le Minh Liao from Singapore’s national team with 7 hours 13 minutes 34 seconds. Nguyen Thi That also won the sprints points leader award, receiving the green jersey.
The team classification winner for overall time was China’s Li Ning Star Ladies team with 21 hours 40 minutes 27 seconds. Second was China’s GNC-Finch Girl Power team with the same time. Third place went to the Indonesian national team with 21 hours 40 minutes 45 seconds. The best ASEAN team was Indonesia, followed by Standard Insurance from the Philippines in second, and Thailand Women's Cycling in third, all with 21 hours 40 minutes 45 seconds. General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association, awarded a cash bonus of 200,000 baht to the Thailand Women's Cycling team. Full race results are available at www.tourofthailand.in.th.
After the race, General Decha said the overall competition was successfully completed. The results were satisfactory for both men's and women's teams. The athletes faced tough challenges in many events, and Jutatip was not in full health but still sprinted at the finish to win the sprints in every stage. She narrowly lost to Nguyen Thi That by just one second, earning ASEAN runner-up. Next, the cyclists will rest during Songkran, then training locations will be considered for preparing the team for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, possibly at Khao Yai in Nakhon Nayok or Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima. If the Nagoya road race involves climbs, Jutatip may compete in track points races instead.
Jutatip said she originally aimed to win the final stage but lacked sufficient training, and Nguyen Thi That was very strong. Everyone knew she was the underdog but did their best, resulting in second place in the stage and second in the ASEAN ranking. She will rest and then return to compete in the 2026 Thailand National Cycling Championships, Stage 4 in Chanthaburi Province, before preparing for the 20th Asian Games in Japan.
The next event organized by the Cycling Association of Thailand will be the 2026 Thailand National Road and Mountain Bike Championships, Stage 4, at Thap Sai Municipality, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, from 24-26 April 2026. Athletes can register on the association's website www.thaicycling.or.th from now until Wednesday, 22 April, before noon, or register in person at the race headquarters in front of Pong Nam Ron District Office on Thursday, 23 April, from 11:00 to 16:00. Details are available on the association's Facebook page, Thailand Cycling Association, or by calling 0-2719-3340-2 during office hours.