Tour of Chongming attracts top bikers
Tour of Chongming Island is jointly organized by International Cycling Union, China's General Administration of Sport and the Shanghai government.
THE 2018 Tour of Chongming Island will be held from April 26-28 with 108 cyclists from 30 countries and regions competing in the event.
As the 10th leg of the 2018 UCI Women’s World Tour, the race has become the city’s signature international sports event over the last 10 years.
Eighteen teams — each team consisting of six cyclists — will be competing in the main races. The teams include the Chinese national team, China’s Hong Kong team and nine of the world’s top 15 ranked teams.
According to Luo Wenhua, vice director of Shanghai Sports Bureau, a four-day cycling-themed carnival (April 25-28) will be organized on the island to get the public involved in the event. VR cycling games, cycling related exhibitions as well as amateur competitions will be arranged.
“The 359.3-kilometer race route will take in 15 out of the 18 counties and towns in Chongming,” Luo said.
“The routes will go through the center of the counties and towns and bring local fans closer to the races. The making of security and traffic control plan is also well under way.”
Organizers said with top cyclists competing and the carnival-like atmosphere this year will script the success of the three-day event.
Chongming Island first organized the men’s national cycling competition in 2003. Four years later, it became the women’s competition and was upgraded to the International Cycling Union (UCI) series.
“The race is a good example of Shanghai making use of its ecological environment to organize high-end sports events,” Luo said. “Apart from improving the organization of the existing sports events, Shanghai will keep introducing new events to build its image as an international sports city.”
