Organized by the Asian Cycling Confederation, the Cycling and Fencing Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, and the Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau, and hosted by the Chengdu Municipal Sports Bureau and the People's Government of Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu, the four events — the 2013 "TREK Cup" 19th Asian Mountain Bike Championship, the 5th Asian Youth Mountain Bike Championship, the National Mountain Bike Championship, and the National Youth Mountain Bike Championship (hereinafter referred to as the "Asian Championships") — will be grandly held from May 11 to 15, 2013, in Renhe Township, Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu.
With the support and assistance of the Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau and the Chengdu Municipal Sports Bureau, Qingbaijiang District successfully secured the hosting rights for the 19th Asian Mountain Bike Championship in 2013 after approval from the General Administration of Sport of China and the Asian Cycling Confederation. This event is one of the scheduled competitions under the Asian Cycling Confederation and serves as the continental championship in the International Cycling Union (UCI) mountain bike series for 2013. As the highest-level and most technically advanced mountain bike competition in Asia, it will attract 110 athletes from 15 countries and regions across Asia, as well as 82 athletes from 11 regions in China, all competing at the Qingbaijiang Mountain Bike Racing Venue in Chengdu.
This event combines four championships into one. First, it marks the debut in Chengdu of the Asian Mountain Bike Championship and the Asian Youth Mountain Bike Championship, featuring six events: men’s elite cross-country, women’s elite cross-country, junior men’s cross-country, junior women’s cross-country, men’s elite downhill, and women’s elite downhill. Second, the National Mountain Bike Championship and Youth Championship include eight events: senior men’s cross-country, junior men’s cross-country, senior women’s cross-country, junior women’s cross-country, senior men’s time trial, senior women’s time trial, junior men’s time trial, and junior women’s time trial.
From 2010 to 2012, Qingbaijiang successfully hosted the National Mountain Bike Champions Race and other national-level sporting events for three consecutive years, gaining valuable experience in organizing large-scale sports competitions and establishing the capability to host even higher-standard events. The racecourse for this event is the first high-level "International Mountain Bike Track" in China planned, designed, and constructed with guidance from the American company TREK. The track is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, capable of hosting both international and domestic high-level mountain bike competitions while also providing training grounds for enthusiasts to promote public fitness activities. Currently, there are two professional mountain bike tracks in Renhe Township, Qingbaijiang District: a 6.4-kilometer track in Sanyuan Village and a 5.5-kilometer track in Bishan Village. To meet the demands of the downhill events at this Asian Championship, a 1.5-kilometer downhill track has been built in Sanyuan Village according to international standards. The downhill races are thrilling and highly entertaining, adding another highlight to this competition.
The successful hosting of the National Champions Race for three consecutive years has not only significantly boosted the development of mountain biking and public fitness in Qingbaijiang District, but also further promoted Chengdu and Qingbaijiang through these events, enhancing the city’s visibility and influence. It has played an important role in establishing a new image of reform and openness for Chengdu and Qingbaijiang, driving the development of the district’s tourism and tertiary industries, and strongly supporting the construction of a “Cultural Development Characteristic Zone.”
The host site of this Asian Championship, Renhe Township in Qingbaijiang District, is located in the central part of the Longquan Mountain Range. The area features rolling hills and is the mountainous township closest to Chengdu. Its geographical advantage laid the foundation for developing professional mountain bike tracks in Renhe. In recent years, Qingbaijiang District has invested heavily in creating a beautiful environment in Renhe, securing a special fund of 400 million RMB to restore vegetation and build 22 artificial lakes, allowing mountain bikers to compete in a stunning natural setting. In March 2012, Renhe Township, Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu, was designated as the “Sichuan Provincial Mountain Bike Training Base.” Moving forward, Qingbaijiang plans to introduce other outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing to Renhe, actively striving to become a nationally recognized destination for mountain sports.