On the afternoon of July 27, 2019, the press conference for the 2019 Qiansen Cup UCI Cyclocross World Cup Level 1 Race in Aohan Banner and the 2019 Qiansen Cup UCI BMX Racing World Cup Level 1 Race in Aohan Banner was successfully held at the Media Center of Beijing Sport University. Leaders from the Chinese Cycling Association, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Sports Bureau, the Aohan Banner Government, numerous guests from the sports industry, as well as media outlets covering sports, tourism, and finance, gathered at the scene to attend this press conference.
Both international competitions have been approved by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Chinese Cycling Association, hosted by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Sports Bureau and the Chifeng Municipal People’s Government, organized by the Chifeng Municipal Sports Bureau and the Aohan Banner People’s Government, and fully operated by the Aohan Banner Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau and Beijing Qiansen Sports Culture Investment Development Co., Ltd.
At the press conference, Ms. Ye Xiuli, Deputy Head of the Aohan Banner People’s Government, first announced the event and promoted Aohan tourism. With a long history and profound cultural heritage, Aohan has been hailed by Mr. Su Bingqi, a leading figure in Chinese archaeology, as “the place where the sun of civilization rises.” It is precisely because of these unique advantages that Aohan Banner was chosen as the ideal host for the two major Qiansen Cup UCI international competitions. Through a vivid and engaging tourism promotional video, attendees were deeply impressed by Aohan’s rich historical culture, enchanting natural scenery, and superior ecological environment.
Mr. Song Lishan, Chairman of Qiansen Group and the event operator, systematically introduced the preparation and registration status of the two international competitions to the guests. “Since registration for the cyclocross race opened in early April, up to now, over 80 professional athletes from 30 teams across more than 18 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have successfully registered after screening by the organizing committee. Among them, nearly 20 are elite athletes ranked within the top 200 in UCI points.”
Among the list of participants are numerous world-class athletes and veterans of past Qiansen races. Gert-Jan van der Meer, a 24-year-old elite rider from the Netherlands, has won multiple international championships and claimed both the 2018 Qiansen Cup Aohan and Fengfeng station titles last year. Aida, a 34-year-old Spanish veteran, has won the Spanish National Championship six times and the Spanish Cup four years in a row, making her a legendary figure in the international cyclocross scene. Belgian athlete Joris Van Der Beken, also a seasoned competitor, earned the Elite Champion title at the French Cup cyclocross race last year. With such a stellar lineup, this year’s Qiansen Cup cyclocross race is sure to be a grand showcase of elite talent. 2019 marks the seventh year of the Qiansen Cup cyclocross series, which has built a strong brand presence and influence, now recognized as one of the classic UCI cyclocross events.
As Asia’s highest-level international professional competition—the 2019 Qiansen Cup UCI BMX Racing World Cup Level 1 Race in Aohan holds even greater significance as it serves as an Olympic qualifying event for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Therefore, the results of this race will also impact athletes’ qualification points for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, this is a double-race event, with two consecutive rounds on August 17 and August 18, allowing athletes to earn double points. Local audiences in Aohan Banner will have the chance to enjoy world-class BMX action for two straight days. The BMX competition also features a star-studded field, with over 50 international riders from around the globe, including 12 of the world’s top 10 male and female athletes who will all compete in Aohan. On the men’s side, the world No. 1 Dutch rider Nicky Rommel won an astonishing 14 international titles—including European and World Cup events—within just the first half of this year alone. He is also the men’s elite champion of the 2018 Qiansen Cup Aohan Station, a true global cycling elite. The world No. 2 French rider, 28-year-old Dylan Groenewegen, claimed victory in the opening round of the 2019 World Cup and has already secured seven titles this year, showing increasingly strong form. The world No. 3 French rider Sylvain André, who won the 2018 UCI BMX Racing World Championships, narrowly missed a podium finish at the last Aohan Station and aims to reclaim his glory this year. On the women’s side, world No. 1 Dutch rider Laura Smulders claimed the 2018 World Championship title and earned a remarkable 300 points. She continues her outstanding form in 2019, having already won 12 major international races. More elite athletes are expected to join the competition in Aohan, highlighting the high caliber, fierce competition, and overall excitement of this event. This event also provides a valuable opportunity for eight provinces’ worth of Chinese BMX athletes to compete alongside and learn from world-class riders. The organizing committee will present a “Best Chinese Athlete” award to recognize the top-performing Chinese rider, promoting the international development of China’s BMX program.
In addition to the thrilling competitive events, Qiansen Group will also host the 2019 China Aohan International Cycling Culture Festival to boost public enthusiasm for sports participation and establish Aohan’s cultural and sports tourism brand. The festival will feature a variety of activities, including international sporting competitions, cultural exchange sessions from different countries, and a mini cross-country run for children. The meaning of sports goes beyond spectating—allowing audiences to engage with and enjoy the charm and fun of cycling.
The organizers and operators of the event hope to leverage its social impact to actively implement the national strategy of promoting fitness for all, develop Aohan’s distinctive sports industry, drive the transformation of social culture, tourism, and economic development, and establish Aohan as an internationally renowned hub for outdoor sports and culture. By combining Aohan’s historical heritage with modern Olympic ideals, the region aims to achieve fruitful outcomes.