Tour of Qinghai Lake Has Kicked Off
2.HC Race in China Greets 22 teams World-wide
The Tour of Qinghai Lake, one of the world’s “highest” (average altitude of 2496m) UCI cycling race is going to take place in China’s northwest picturesque region from 7 – 20 July with 13 exciting stages on the highland.
This unique race is currently one of the oldest, longest and prestigious in China, where cycling sport is on the rise. This 12th Tour of Qinghai Lake is competitive yet challenging in terms of racing on the high altitude with lower atmospheric pressure, many riders can suffer from highland syndrome, constantly changing weather which make racing extremely hard.
However, with the nature wonders of China’s largest inland lake, snow mountains, desert, rare species, diverse cultures, large amount of prize money and the high-level points, this race still attract incredible numbers of teams and riders from all continents.
This year, Tour of Qinghai Lake extends to three provinces of Qinghai, Ningxia Muslim Autonomous Region and Gansu, is put forward by more than 700 staff with the contour. This means more publicity and cheering crowds that will make this race more known and influential in local cycling culture and economy, as the northwest is remote and less-developed compared to the flourishing regions in China. “There are hotels and routes built exceptionally for this race, and we see more riders pedaling through this region”, said an impressed local.
For cycling race enthusiasts, this year’s Tour of Qinghai Lake will present a star-studded line-up. National champions, World Championship medalists from Turkey, Ireland, China, Among others, Olympics cyclists, world tour stage winners, UCI Asia Tour ranking top-rankers and previous stage as well as GC winners of this 2.HC race.
The inaugurating stage will be in Qinghai’s capital city of Xining, a flat criterium stage with 138km. An exciting mass sprint should be expected.
Quick Facts about TDQL 2013:
- 154 riders from 22 teams
1 Pro Team
5 Pro Continental Teams
15 Continental Teams
1 National Team
- Hosted by 13 cities and townships in North-west China (Muslim and Tibetan regions)
- Maximum Altitude: 4120m v.s. Minimum Alt. 1104m
- Total distance of 3140km with racing distance of 2002km
- 27 intermediate sprints and 11 KOMs : 8 H-KOMs, 3 3rd category KOMs.
- Total prize money: 179,400 USD
Team List
Pro Team
Lampre-Merida (LAM) – Ita
Pro Continental
Champion System Pro Cycling Team (CSS) – Chn
Vini Fantini – Selle Italia (VIN) – Ita
Bardiani Valvole – CSF Inox (Bar) – Ita
Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team (UHC) – USA
Team Netapp – Endura (TNE) – Ger
Continental
Amore & Vita (AMO) – Ukr
Atlas Personal – Jakroo (ARH) – Sui
Burgos BH – Castilla y Leon (BUR) – Esp
Continental Team Astana (AS2) – Kaz
Drapac Cycling (DPC) – Aus
Gan Su Sports Lottery Cycling Team (GTC) – Chn
La Pomme Marseille (LPM) – Fra
Nutrixxion Abus (TSP) – Ger
Qinghai Tianyoude Cycling Team (TYD) – Chn
Rietumu – Delfin (RBD) – Lat
RTS Racing Team (RTS) – TPE
Sava (SAK) – Slo
Synergy Baku Cycling Project (BCP) – Aze
Tabriz Petrochemical Team (TPT) – Iri
Torku Seker Spor (TRK) – TUR
National Team
Team Australia-AUS
Please stay tuned for this breathtaking summer race!