Powering Up for the Olympics, Seven 'Homegrown' Continental Teams Prepare for the Tour of Hainan
Powering Up for the Olympics, Seven 'Homegrown' Continental Teams Prepare for the Tour of Hainan
From October 5th to 9th, 20 high-level professional teams from both domestic and international sources are set to make their appearance at the 14th Tour of Hainan in 2023. This year is a crucial "window period" for the pursuit of the Paris Olympics, and as an event with Olympic qualification points at stake, this Tour of Hainan has attracted 7 Chinese UCI continental teams to compete. These teams represent the highest level of Chinese professional cycling, and among them, potential athletes who may represent China on the Olympic stage could emerge. Let's together experience the formidable competitiveness of the Chinese teams!
一、HENGXIANG CYCLING TEAM
These are the main riders for the team: Bogdanovics Maris, Ma Binyan, Vosekalns Andris, Hou Dongyi, Gao Yongbing, Raileanu Cristian, Peng Yuantang.
The Hengxin Cycling Team is an intercontinental professional team that was registered with the UCI in 2010. Its primary goal is the development of Chinese talent. In 2023, the team transitioned from a provincial team model to a commercial model, achieving victories in single-stage championships and national championships in professional leagues. Subsequently, the team introduced several international riders, transforming into an international-level team. They continuously broke records for Chinese riders and in various competitions, including the Tour of China, Tour of Langkawi, Tour of Hainan, Tour of Fuzhou, and Tour of Quanzhou Bay, they secured stage victories. This represents the highest level of road cycling in China and has unearthed star riders such as Lv Xianjing, Ma Guangtong, and Wang Meiyin, earning them the reputation of being China's top cycling team.
In the 2023 Tour of Hainan, the Hengxin Continental Team will focus on training and nurturing young talents, while also aiming for breakthroughs in both individual and team performance.
二、BODYWRAP LTWOO CYCLING TEA
These are the main riders for the team: Wang Kuicheng, Li Boan, Niu Gaoshang, Fu Zhenghao, Ma Hongao, Liu Mingzhe, Liu Chenrui, Wang Mengjie, Yang Yiming, Lu Zeyao.
This young professional cycling team was founded in 2021, and all of its members hail from Henan, China. Among them are experienced veterans who have raced extensively, current national team members, and promising newcomers full of energy. The team adheres to the belief that "with dreams in their hearts and strength under their feet," they compete on the professional racing circuit.
In the 2023 Chinese Road Professional League, team member Wang Kuicheng proudly wears the white jersey symbolizing the best young rider and the polka-dot jersey representing the King of the Mountains. Their goals for this competition include aiming for a top-three overall finish, securing first place in the Greater China overall rankings, claiming the King of the Mountains title, and achieving a top-three team performance.
三、PINGTAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM ISLAND CYCLING TEAM
These are the main riders for the team: Maikin Roman, Li Honghai, Li Tiancheng, Chen Yixin, Yu Yuanfeng, Hao Ran, He Xuehui, Li Shuai.
The team was established on January 1, 2022, and its predecessor was the Taiyuan Meiheju Continental Cycling Team. The team is based in the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone in Fujian and is sponsored by the Pingtan Cultural and Tourism Group. It is a local team with a UCI continental cycling team license and serves as a prominent representation of Pingtan to the world. It also acts as a powerful calling card for Pingtan International Tourism Island. Since its establishment, the team has participated in 24 races in the Asia Tour and Europe Tour, with 38 podium finishes, 6 single-stage championships, and 2 Asia Tour overall championships. They have previously achieved victories such as the first stage of the 2019 Tour of China, the individual overall championship in the Tour of the Philippines, as well as podium finishes in various other international races.
For the upcoming Tour of Hainan, the team is brimming with confidence. They see this competition as a valuable opportunity to compete with top-level teams, considering it one of the few chances for the Pingtan International Cycling Team to measure itself against the best. The team's goal for this Tour of Hainan is to achieve a top-10 finish in the General Classification (GC) and to foster the growth of Chinese riders who can become pillars of Chinese sports. They hope to contribute to China's participation in the Olympics and wish the Tour of Hainan continued success, aiming to become the "Tour de France" in the hearts of the Chinese people.
四、CHINA GLORY CONTINENTAL CYCLING TEAM
These are the main riders for the team: Su Haoyu, Liu Jiankun, Lucas Andre-Jean De Rossi, James Piccoli, Willie Smit.
The China Huaxing Continental Team was initiated by the Chinese Cycling Association in 2022. It is a UCI-registered Chinese road continental team consisting of talented riders from both China and abroad.
In the recent Tour of Taihu Lake International Road Cycling Race, Lucas Drossi from the China Huaxing Continental Team displayed tremendous courage during the fourth stage by breaking away and maintaining a lead for over one lap of the race, ultimately securing the first place at the intermediate sprint point. With his outstanding breakaway performance, Lucas also received the "Dare to Fight" award for this stage and climbed to the tenth position in the overall individual standings. In a previous competition, the Tour of Poyang Lake International Road Cycling Race, rider James Piccoli earned the King of the Mountains honor.
In the opening race of the 2023 season, the Asbandos Grand Prix, Su Haoyu delivered an impressive performance, finishing seventh and earning 5 UCI points for China. This marks the first time Chinese road cyclists have earned points in international competitions since the start of the Paris Olympics points cycle.
Since 2022, the Huaxing Team has participated in various high-level cycling events, including the Tour of Turkey, the Tour of Flanders, the Antwerp Port Epic, the Mercan Tour, the Arctic Race, and the Tour of Langkawi, where they have competed against several WorldTour-level and continental professional teams.
For this year's Tour of Hainan, the team's goals are to actively perform well in both sprint stages and climbing stages, aiming for high stage rankings and overall standings. Additionally, they are focused on Chinese riders securing UCI points in the competition.
五、 WUZHISHAN CYCLING TEAM
These are the main riders for the team: Yu Ze, Yin Xiaolei, Huang Wenbo, Zheng Bowen, Xie Yuhang, Wang Yulong.
The Wuzhishan 1867 Continental Team, as a local cycling team in Hainan, takes its name from the highest peak in Hainan, the main peak of Wuzhishan, which stands at an altitude of 1867 meters. This name reflects the team's sporting spirit of "No Conditions, Overcoming Difficulties, Unity, and Climbing Peaks with Courage." Hainan is an ideal destination for winter cycling, and Wuzhishan is located in the core area of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in central Hainan. It boasts numerous classic climbing routes and cycling greenways, offering excellent terrain, water, and air quality. It's truly a cycling paradise for professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. The team aims to help more talented riders reach new heights in competitive cycling and inspire more enthusiasts to enjoy the joy of cycling.
In 2022, during the highly competitive National Track Cycling Championships, the outstanding rider Yu Ze from the Wuzhishan 1867 Continental Team emerged as the first-place winner in the men's omnium event. Yu Ze's achievements extend beyond this victory; he has also won various other honors, such as the individual time trial championship at the 2nd Youth Games, third place in the men's 100km team road race at the National Road Cycling Championships, and second place in the men's Madison race at the National Track Cycling Championships.
As of September 13, 2023, the Wuzhishan 1867 Continental Team has actively participated in numerous domestic cycling events throughout 2023. These events include the Tianfu Greenway International Cycling Race, the Chinese Cycling Professional League, races in Henan (Jiyuan, Luoning, and Puyang), as well as races in Wenzhou and Tianjin. Furthermore, in the recently concluded Tour of Poyang Lake International Road Cycling Race, two riders from the team achieved top-10 positions in the Greater China overall rankings.
For the Tour of Hainan, the team's aspirations are to step onto the podium in at least one stage and secure a top-ten overall finish in the general classification.
六、LI NING STAR
These are the main riders for the team: Periklis Ilias, Campos Lucena Ronie, Aliaksei Shnyrko, Bai Lijun、Li Luhao、Shao Junqi、Jiang Zhihui.
The Li Ning Zhixing Continental Team was established in October 2019 after registering with the Chinese Cycling Association and the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). It is currently the only professional cycling team in China that operates both a men's and women's professional team while also commercializing its operations. The men's continental team consists of top domestic athletes and talented foreign athletes.
In 2022, the men's team led the rankings of Chinese professional cycling teams with 174 UCI points. They achieved excellent results, including three individual stage victories and the green jersey for the sprinter classification in the Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race. Additionally, they secured two national championships at the National Road Championships in the men's individual time trial and the men's road race.
The team has also excelled in domestic races like the Chengdu Greenway Race and the Chinese Road Cycling Professional League, where they have dominated with their formidable lineup, winning four races.
七、TIANYOUDE HOTEL CYCLING TEAM
These are the main riders for the team: Saeid Safarzadeh, Yeisson·Ubarley·Quetama·Rojas, Yonnatta Monsalve, Li Hu、Guo Shourong、Wang Jiancai、Li Zisen 、Yuan Zhanhui、Sun Hailin.
The Li Ning Zhixing Continental Team was established in October 2019 after registering with the Chinese Cycling Association and the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). It is currently the only professional cycling team in China that operates both a men's and women's professional team while also commercializing its operations. The men's continental team consists of top domestic athletes and talented foreign athletes.
In 2022, the men's team led the rankings of Chinese professional cycling teams with 174 UCI points. They achieved excellent results, including three individual stage victories and the green jersey for the sprinter classification in the Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race. Additionally, they secured two national championships at the National Road Championships in the men's individual time trial and the men's road race.
The team has also excelled in domestic races like the Chengdu Greenway Race and the Chinese Road Cycling Professional League, where they have dominated with their formidable lineup, winning four races.
