Lim Jong-won wins "White Jersey" for second year with dramatic comeback

Korean cyclist Lim Jong-won has clinched the "White Jersey" for the second year running at the Tour de Kyongnam 2026, an International Cycling Union (UCI) sanctioned race. The 21-year-old rider secured the title for the best young rider (under 23) with a total time of 11 hours, 52 minutes, and 56 seconds. Lim's victory in the final stage was a dramatic reversal, aided by his team's strategy. His teammate, Kim Yu-ro, sacrificed his own position to clear the path for Lim in a crucial intermediate sprint section. This allowed Lim to gain a vital time bonus, enabling him to overtake Malaysia's Muhammad Shahwall Mazlin by a mere second. "The White Jersey, earned by overcoming anxiety and worry, feels even more thrilling," Lim stated. He expressed gratitude to his teammates, especially Kim Yu-ro, for their support. The race, covering 510.4 km across five cities in the Gyeongsangnam-do province, saw Italy's Tomaso Dati win the overall "Yellow Jersey." Lim, now in his second year as a professional, has also been selected for the national team and will participate in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. "My sense of responsibility has grown significantly in the past year," Lim said, adding he is focused on minimizing energy expenditure. The governor of Gyeongsangnam-do pledged to further develop the Tour de Kyongnam into a more prestigious international event.

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The White Jersey, earned by overcoming anxiety and worry, feels even more thrilling.