Hung Kun-hung: The Ageless Legend Still Breaking Away in the Tour de Taiwan at 40

What Is a 40-Year-Old Man Doing? Fighting 20-Year-Olds on a Mountain

In the Chinese Taipei national team at the 2026 Tour de Taiwan, one rider’s age stands out in particular—Hung Kun-hung, 40 years old.

Let’s make a comparison:

The youngest Taiwanese rider in the Tour de Taiwan, Huang Wei-cheng: 19 years old
Hung Kun-hung: 40 years old
Age gap: 21 years

When Huang Wei-cheng was born, Hung Kun-hung had already been racing professionally for several years.

The Solo Attack at the Taoyuan Stage

At Stage 2, the Taoyuan Stage, on the climb up Jiaoban Mountain, Hung Kun-hung did something that surprised everyone (including his own teammates)—a solo attack.

In the dictionary of a 40-year-old rider, the term “solo attack” has usually already been crossed out. Most veteran riders at this age choose to sit safely in the peloton, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure.

But Hung Kun-hung is not “most” riders.

He accelerated away from the group, pedaling desperately alone on the mountain road. Spectators were probably thinking: “Is this guy crazy?”

In the end, he was caught—which was to be expected. One man against the entire peloton is almost impossible to pull off at the level of the Tour de Taiwan. But he tried, and that in itself is a victory.

The Secret to Still Riding at 40

Advantages	Disadvantages
Rich racing experience	Slower recovery
Precise pacing ability	Declining explosive power
Deep understanding of his body	Increased injury risk
Strong mental toughness	Natural decline in VO2max
Nothing left to lose	Young riders’ physical advantage

Research shows that a cyclist’s VO2max (maximal oxygen uptake) declines by about 1% per year after age 30. This means that at 40, Hung Kun-hung may physiologically have only about 85% of the aerobic capacity he had at 25.

But experience and wisdom can compensate for part of the physiological decline. Knowing when to conserve energy and when to push hard—that kind of judgment is something young riders can’t buy with money.

Cycling’s Ageless Legends

Hung Kun-hung is not the only veteran pro rider:

Rider	Age	Achievement
Hung Kun-hung	40	2026 Tour de Taiwan national team
Feng Chun-kai	37	17th Tour de Taiwan
Alejandro Valverde	Retired at 41	World Champion (at age 38)
Chris Horner	41	Vuelta a España champion
Davide Rebellin	Retired at 51	One of the longest pro careers

Why Is He Still Riding?

What drives a 40-year-old to keep competing in professional cycling?

Maybe it’s a pure love of the sport. Maybe it’s unwillingness to give up. Maybe it’s the desire to set an example for young riders. Or maybe it’s simply that he can still ride, so he keeps riding.

Whatever the reason, a 40-year-old veteran attempting a solo breakaway on the climbs of the Tour de Taiwan is itself one of the most moving sights of the race.

Encouragement for Middle-Aged Riders

If you’re also a 40-year-old (or older) cycling enthusiast, Hung Kun-hung’s existence is the best motivation:

Age is just a number (okay, it’s also a physiological reality, but you know what I mean)
Experience is your weapon: young riders have strength, you have wisdom
Enjoy the process: you don’t have to win, but you do have to ride
Take care of your body: recovery, stretching, and nutrition matter more than when you were younger
Dare to try: anyone who can still launch a solo attack at 40 can do anything

Hung Kun-hung’s story tells us: Cycling is not a young person’s sport—it’s a sport for all brave people.