Top motocross to race in Fengxian
Competitors in the MXGP 2019 Grand Prix Motocross at the OPI Mall Circuit in Palembang in Indonesia in July.
The Motocross World Championship, motorcycling's Formula One, will be held in China for the first time in Shanghai's Fengxian District next month.
Over 70 the world's top motorcycle riders from 33 teams in 22 countries and regions will compete in the MXGP China leg, the final contest of the 2019 season, at the city's southernmost Haiwan Town in Fengxian between September 13 and 15.
Over 1.1 billion people around the world are expected to watch the broadcast of the final competition, while over 10,000 tickets have been sold, according to organizers.
As one of the world's biggest cities and financial centers, Shanghai has hosted many world-class sports events before, such as the ATP Rolex Shanghai Masters, Formula One Chinese Grand Prix and IAAF Diamond League, said Stephan Macky Carapiet, president of the International Motorcycling Federation Asia.
"We believe the first MXGP in Shanghai will be a great success," Carapiet said.
The ATP World Tour came to Shanghai in 1997 and the inaugural F1 Chinese Grand Prix was held at Shanghai International Circuit in 2004. The MXGP marks the first top international sports event to be held in south Shanghai.
The MXGP race originated in the United Kingdom over a century ago. Two groups of riders in 250 and 125cc categories will compete in next month's event.
Construction of the 2-kilometer-long racing track in the Haiwan tourism zone at Hangzhou Bay is almost complete, said Yuan Yuan, deputy director of Fengxian and executive deputy director of the organizing committee for the race.
The circuit will be one of the world's most challenging, with 16 3-meter ramps. The biggest gap will be 60 meters wide, said Yuan. The circuit is in the shape of a Chinese character xian (nobility), from the name of the district.
As a highlight, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) stone archway has been preserved within the track as a special attraction for the riders and amateur motorcyclists.
The Jingjiefang Archway was erected by the order of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) to recognize a chaste woman surnamed Xiao. The structure is well-preserved.
"As a Chinese rider, I feel quite proud that the world's top event will be held in China and I believe it will be a valuable opportunity for Chinese riders to learn and progress," said Xu Jianhao, China's top motorcycle racer.
Chinese riders will be among the competitors.
Fengxian aims to develop Haiwan Town into a "national sport and leisure town."
