Now in its fourth year, the “Taiwan King of Climbing Cycling Challenge” started at 5:30 a.m. on the 30th at Qixingtan in Hualien. Blending awe-inspiring natural beauty with extreme physical challenges, it is ranked among the world’s top 10 toughest races. Cyclists from 32 countries took on the route from Qixingtan in Hualien, climbing all the way to Wuling on Hehuanshan, with the goal of conquering the final 10-kilometer “Heaven’s Road” section that never stops climbing. The King of Climbing course covers 105 kilometers in total, and with a strict 6.5-hour time limit, it is considered extremely difficult—earning recognition from the French cycling magazine “Le Cycle” as one of the world’s ten hardest races, alongside Alpine routes.
This year’s event features an elite field, including the first-ever participation of champions from Europe’s three major cycling races and current Olympic gold medalists, joining 412 riders from 32 countries and regions in a battle for supremacy atop Hehuanshan. Facing strong international competition, Taiwan’s top cyclists are also giving their all. “Taiwan’s No. 1” Feng Chun-kai and “the strongest amateur cyclist” Fan Yong-yi are giving their all to keep the championship title on the island.
The race begins near sea level at Qixingtan Beach in Hualien, winds through the majestic Taroko Gorge, follows the Central Cross-Island Highway, and finishes at Wuling on Hehuanshan at an altitude of 3,275 meters. Of the course, 90 kilometers involve an average gradient of 7%, and when riders are already exhausted, the final 10 kilometers present a near-vertical “wall” with slopes of 17% to 27%, leaving many contestants in awe.
Danish rider John Ebsen, a two-time winner of Taiwan’s King of Climbing, faces challenges this year from the likes of Omar, the King of Climbing from the Vuelta a España, and Hansen, the London Olympic gold medalist. Ebsen confidently stated, “I’m not afraid!” Having dominated Yushan, Alishan, and Hehuanshan last year, he is gunning for back-to-back titles.
Japanese rider Yonamine Eri, the women’s champion two years ago and a fan of Taiwan, is back for another try. She laughed and said she’s not focusing on speed at the start but rather on maintaining a steady pace and patience to save energy for the final push. Omar, who claimed the King of Climbing title at the Vuelta a España just last September, mentioned that this is his first time competing in Asia at the Taiwan King of Climbing. He’s heard about the “terrifying 10 kilometers” before the finish line and is excited for the race.
Police will enforce traffic controls along the race route from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., covering Qixingtan, the Central Cross-Island Highway, and Wuling. The final 1,300-meter downhill stretch before the finish line, known as the “Crystal Palace Slope,” is the last uphill burst to Wuling, and the public is urged not to stop along the course.