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Pedal power sweeps Chongming
By Fei Lai |
May 10, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BICYCLES will rule the roads of Chongming Island this week as top female cyclists from around the world compete in two separate events. The action is bound to be fast and furious, writes Fei Lai.
Some of the world's top female cyclists will be in Shanghai this week for international races on Chongming Island.
The action heats up beginning tomorrow with the Tour of Chongming, a top-rated 2.1 race that features three stages over a total distance of 271 kilometers. The final stage is on Friday.
The Women's Road World Cup race tests the athletes on a 136.3-kilometer course that takes place on Sunday.
Both events are jointly organized by the International Cycling Union, the General Administration of Sports of China and the Shanghai government.
The 2.1 race has been held annually in Chongming since 2006, while this is the second time the Women's Road World Cup race will be hosted by the island county.
The world cup race attracts top cyclists from 18 national and professional teams from 14 countries and regions, including China, Norway, Italy, Belgium, France and Germany.
The highlight of this year, for local cycling fans at least, is the participation of Huang Li, a Chongming native. She competes on the Chongming, China–Giant Pro Cycling team.
Huang won the green jersey as the top sprinter at the Women's Tour of New Zealand 2011 in February and is regarded as one of China's most promising cyclists.
Chongming, China-Giant Pro Cycling, formerly known as Giant Pro Cycling, was created to promote Chongming Island to the world, help contribute to its strategy of developing as an environmentally friendly tourist attraction and develop more top cyclists who are capable of competing with the world's best.
New sport
From 2003 to 2005, Chongming successfully hosted national cycling races. In 2006, it first held an international event - the men's tour of Chongming Island. In 2007 and 2008, the county became the host of Tour of Chongming Island. In 2009, it was granted the right to host women's world cup races from 2010 to 2012.
Cycling is still a relatively new sport in China, but the green mode of transport matches with the county government's eco-friendly principles.
With its flat land, fresh air and thriving forests, Chongming is an ideal place for international cycling races. Cyclists will race along rural expressways, roads along the Yangtze River and take in sites such as the Changjiang Tunnel-Bridge, which connects the island to downtown Shanghai.
While the international races shine a spotlight on Chongming, it's important to note that cycling is a part of life on the island.
To coincide with the races, the island is also hosting a five-day carnival starting tomorrow in Xincheng Park.
The first-ever such carnival, "Green Chongming, Carnival Zero," showcases the local government's ambition to turn the races into a major tourist attraction.
The carnival will feature information about low-carbon living. Visitors will also be able to try outdoor activities such as fishing and rock climbing.
For leisure cyclists who just want to get out of the city and get some exercise, Chongming offers plenty of scenic stops including Dongping National Forest Park, Xisha Wetland and the Yangtze River embankment.
The county's government also said construction will start this year on a new bicycle-themed park.
Some of the world's top female cyclists will be in Shanghai this week for international races on Chongming Island.
The action heats up beginning tomorrow with the Tour of Chongming, a top-rated 2.1 race that features three stages over a total distance of 271 kilometers. The final stage is on Friday.
The Women's Road World Cup race tests the athletes on a 136.3-kilometer course that takes place on Sunday.
Both events are jointly organized by the International Cycling Union, the General Administration of Sports of China and the Shanghai government.
The 2.1 race has been held annually in Chongming since 2006, while this is the second time the Women's Road World Cup race will be hosted by the island county.
The world cup race attracts top cyclists from 18 national and professional teams from 14 countries and regions, including China, Norway, Italy, Belgium, France and Germany.
The highlight of this year, for local cycling fans at least, is the participation of Huang Li, a Chongming native. She competes on the Chongming, China–Giant Pro Cycling team.
Huang won the green jersey as the top sprinter at the Women's Tour of New Zealand 2011 in February and is regarded as one of China's most promising cyclists.
Chongming, China-Giant Pro Cycling, formerly known as Giant Pro Cycling, was created to promote Chongming Island to the world, help contribute to its strategy of developing as an environmentally friendly tourist attraction and develop more top cyclists who are capable of competing with the world's best.
New sport
From 2003 to 2005, Chongming successfully hosted national cycling races. In 2006, it first held an international event - the men's tour of Chongming Island. In 2007 and 2008, the county became the host of Tour of Chongming Island. In 2009, it was granted the right to host women's world cup races from 2010 to 2012.
Cycling is still a relatively new sport in China, but the green mode of transport matches with the county government's eco-friendly principles.
With its flat land, fresh air and thriving forests, Chongming is an ideal place for international cycling races. Cyclists will race along rural expressways, roads along the Yangtze River and take in sites such as the Changjiang Tunnel-Bridge, which connects the island to downtown Shanghai.
While the international races shine a spotlight on Chongming, it's important to note that cycling is a part of life on the island.
To coincide with the races, the island is also hosting a five-day carnival starting tomorrow in Xincheng Park.
The first-ever such carnival, "Green Chongming, Carnival Zero," showcases the local government's ambition to turn the races into a major tourist attraction.
The carnival will feature information about low-carbon living. Visitors will also be able to try outdoor activities such as fishing and rock climbing.
For leisure cyclists who just want to get out of the city and get some exercise, Chongming offers plenty of scenic stops including Dongping National Forest Park, Xisha Wetland and the Yangtze River embankment.
The county's government also said construction will start this year on a new bicycle-themed park.
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