2019 Circum-Taiyuan International Road Cycling Race (Taihang Stage), sponsored by China Cycling Association, Sports Bureau of Shanxi Province, People’s Government of Taiyuan City and People’s Government of Changzhi City, and undertaken by Cycling and Fencing Management Center of Shanxi Province, Sports Competition Management Center of Shanxi Province, Sports Bureau of Changzhi City, People’s Government of Huguan County, started with a gunshot at the Bayi Square of Changzhi City on May 29th. Twenty bicycle teams from 11 countries and regions over the five continents began the completion of Taihang Stage.
Taihang Stage was the fourth stage of the men’s multi-day contest. It started at Bayi Square of Changzhi City and ended at the Eight Spring Gorge Scenic Area of the Grand Canyon of Taihang Mountain with total distance of 87.2km. The racing track passed through multiple scenic areas such as Hulin Academy, Zhude Dajing Demarcation, West Tourist Service Center, Gelao Ridge, Black Dragon Pool (Zituan Mountain) and Red Bean Ridge. The contestants chased the wind and competed with each other. Meanwhile, the beautiful scenery along the racing track brought rich riding experience to the riders. The professional bicycle race also brought a top-level race feast for the citizens along the racing track.
At 9:00 a.m., with a gunshot and amidst the cheers of filed audiences, the heroic competitors wearing streamlined hollow helmets and cycling clothes and riding bright bicycles, rushed off the starting point like arrows and enjoyed the sports fun brought by passion and speed on the most beautiful track.
After fierce competition, RAILEANU Cristian from Malaysian TSC team, HOLLER Nikod from German BAI team and LEPLINGARD Antoine from Canadian DCB team won the top three of the Taihang stage respectively. Up to now, the champion in terms of individual total score was PIPER Cameron from USA ILU team; the champion in terms of total climbing score was LOZANO RIBA David from USA TNN team; the champion in terms of total dashing score was LAAS Martin from USA ILU team; and the champion of Greater China in terms of individual total score was CHEUNG King Lok from the HKS team of Hong Kong, China.
“Circum-Taiyuan” International Road Cycling Race (Taihang Stage) took Taiyuan as the core and radiated throughout the whole Shanxi. The whole route was divided into six sections (Taiyuan, Great Wall, Wutai Mountain, Taihang Mountain, Yellow River and Pingyao Ancient City) with 730km in total. It was the fifth international-brand cycling race named after regional characteristics, following Circum-Qinghai Lake, Circum-Hainan Island, Circum-Taihu Lake and Circum-Fuzhou.
By taking the opportunity of building national 5A scenic area, relying on the excellent development situation of all-for-one tourism, adhering to the development concept of “tourism + sports”, taking advantage of the holding of The Second National Youth Games in Shanxi Province and on the basis of the brand of “China’s Rock-Climbing Base”, the Eight Spring Gorge Scenic Area of the Grand Canyon of Taihang Mountain further enriches product type, broadens tourist market, promotes the development of tourism economy and strides forward to realize “the dream of cultural integration, sports power and tourism happiness” in order for more tourists to experience the magnificent and beautiful Taihang Mountain at Changzhi City of Shanxi Province and overview the great momentum and endless charm of the Eight Spring Gorge of Taihang Mountain in five ways: swimming in water, viewing at valley bottom, walking amidst clouds, overviewing from sky and flying in sky.
“Circum-Taiyuan” International Road Cycling Race (Taihang Stage) is of great significance for Shanxi Province to further implement the national strategic decision and arrangement of “national fitness”, strengthen three major tourism sectors (Yellow River, the Great Wall & Taihang), expand external publicity and communication, promote industrial transformation and upgrading, and implement “green travel”. Meanwhile, it plats a positive role in contributing to the Second National Youth Games and publicizing the development achievements made by Shanxi on the basis of “Two Transformations” and the new look and image of Shanxi.
