The HCM City Television Cycling Tournament, HTV Cup, will start on Saturday.

The 15-stage race covering 1,786km will start with a circling of the Quang Tri's Old Citadel. The next stages will go through the Central Highlands and southeastern provinces before finishing at the Thong Nhat (Reunification) Palace in HCM City.

Eleven teams will compete in the tournament, including strong contenders like Sai Gon Plant Protection, ADC Vinh Long Television, Domesco Dong Thap, An Giang Plant Protection, Military Zone 7 and Binh Duong.

There are four jerseys on offer. The yellow jersey holder will receive prize money of VND60 million (US$2,800), the green jersey winner for the points competition will pocket VND20 million, the polka dot for the King of the Mountains, VND30 million, and the white jersey for best-placed young rider, VND10 million. — VNS