Over 200 competitors and support staff on Saturday’s major cross-border cycling race at the 15th National Games have registered for the seamless customs clearance arrangement, allowing them to speed through the customs points of Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao during the race without stopping.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Yeung Tak-keung, head of the National Games Coordination Office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, said that the governments of all three places have completed extensive coordination and preparation for the event.

“All the identity documents for the participants, including 104 athletes and some 100 support staff, have been pre-checked and verified by the three governments,” said Yeung, adding that a second verification would be conducted on the race day to confirm that everyone involved in the competition is eligible for the facial recognition and clearance system.

READ MORE: National Games flame relay ignites HK, boosts national identity

The race, featuring 104 riders from 23 teams, including nine from Hong Kong, will embark on a challenging route starting at the Zhuhai Museum at 9 am, crossing through Macao, over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, through North Lantau in Hong Kong, and back to Zhuhai, concluding around 2:30 pm.

To facilitate the event, significant travel disruptions are expected. The mega bridge’s eastbound carriageway will be controlled from 9 am to 12:30 pm, while the westbound carriageway will be controlled from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. During these control periods, all vehicles will be prohibited from using the bridge.

Rolling road closures will also be in effect on the North Lantau Highway and near Hong Kong Disneyland.

Travelers who need to cross the bridge before it closes must arrive at the Hong Kong Port Passenger Clearance Building or Vehicle Clearance Plaza by 6:30 am to complete all departure and border crossing procedures.

Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge shuttle bus service will cease operations after transporting all passengers who have completed departure procedures and will not resume until 12:30 pm. As the race will be continuing in Zhuhai thereafter, roads in Zhuhai will gradually reopen from 2:30 pm. Limited shuttle bus services from Hong Kong to Zhuhai will be available from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

Cheng Wai-kin, senior superintendent of New Territories South Regional Headquarters Operations Wing, said that police will implement temporary traffic control and crowd management measures. Arrangements will be made based on the actual progress of the event.

READ MORE: CE John Lee: Hong Kong all set for the 15th National Games

The Transport Department’s principal transport officer Vivian Kwan Kwok-yan said that the MTR Corporation will strengthen services with additional staff on the Airport Express, Tung Chung Line, and Disneyland Resort Line according to passenger demand.

Authorities have advised the public to avoid affected areas, and to use rail services, and plan for delays of at least 30 minutes.

For spectators, a viewing area will be set up at Fantasy Road near Disneyland. Attendees are advised to arrive by 10:40 am via the MTR. Riders are expected to pass this section from 11 am.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com