The 2014 Taiwan Cycling Festival will kick off in Hualien on the 15th. Nearly 470 riders from 28 countries will take on the challenging 105-kilometer route from Qixingtan in Hualien to Wuling on Hehuanshan Mountain at an altitude of 3,275 meters.

The third edition of the Taiwan Cycling Festival’s King of the Mountain Challenge starts at Qixingtan Beach in Hualien, follows Provincial Highway 9, then transitions onto the Central Cross-Island Highway and Provincial Highway 14A, climbing all the way up to the finish line at Wuling on Hehuanshan at 3,275 meters above sea level — a total of 105 kilometers.

The course includes a 90-kilometer stretch with an average gradient of 7%, and the final 10 kilometers feature slopes as steep as nearly 30%. Riders ascend through the spectacular Taroko Gorge — one of the few routes in the world that achieves such an extreme elevation gain over a relatively short distance.

The “Taiwan Cycling Festival – Taiwan Cycling King of the Mountain Challenge” held a press conference this morning at Qixingtan Beach, drawing a crowd of international riders, including elite athletes from Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Kenya, and other countries.

Liu Xilin, Deputy Director of the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, said the race route features breathtaking scenery that showcases nature’s wonders. Coupled with its extremely high difficulty level, even though the challenge is only in its third year, it has already earned excellent international recognition. It was also named one of the world’s 10 toughest races by the French cycling magazine Le Cycle, ranking alongside classic routes like those in the Alps.

Liu Xilin said the event aims to boost Taiwan’s global profile, support the development of the cycling industry, and encourage a healthier lifestyle among the public.

A highlight of this year’s race is the significant increase in prize money, which now totals NT$2.41 million. The top six male riders will share NT$1.75 million, with the overall champion taking home NT$1 million alone. The women’s division prize pool has also risen to NT$440,000, with the first-place winner receiving NT$200,000. The race will start at 6:30 a.m. on November 15 from Qixingtan in Hualien, with traffic controls along the route — motorists are advised to cooperate. 1031114

(CNA)