On March 11, the scenic Qiandao Lake hosted the opening leg of the 2017 China Cycling League. Nearly 1,000 participants from 28 elite teams across all 31 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan—including NFOKE-YANHAO China Team, KSL-RARO Cycling Team, MERIDA Challenge Team, SENDY-Powerman, Kuaike China Team, and YATAI-Gusto Elite Team—competed in this race.

 

      All teams and cycling enthusiasts who have participated in previous China Cycling League events are eagerly anticipating the new season’s races. For the season’s first leg, 28 teams registered for the men’s open category. In addition to over 15 of the country’s top commercial teams that consistently compete, there were also new team entries and a host of rising stars, making for an intense field. “Qiandao, unmatched in history; I, the one true king.” Known as the “most beautiful freshwater lake in the world,” Qiandao Lake—the most pristine ecological destination and birthplace of wonders—becomes the battleground for a new round of fierce competition. The team rankings are set for a major shake-up, once again drawing nationwide attention and marking a grand opening event for China’s cycling scene.

 

      Riders who competed in the men’s open category during the previous two seasons of the China Cycling League have an advantage, as the course remains unchanged. Starting from Xiushui Square in Chun’an County, the 140-kilometer loop takes riders clockwise around Qiandao Lake. Between the 45–50 kilometer mark, there is a nearly 80-meter descent, with a similar steep drop also appearing between the 90–100 kilometer point, acting as a dividing line for the early and later stages of the race. The ultra-long lake loop, continuous turns, and undulating road surfaces put serious demands on the riders’ endurance and stamina. Additionally, nine long tunnels along the route are another challenge competitors must overcome.

 

      At 8:00 a.m., the men’s mass start race commenced. With the 140-kilometer course ahead, riders didn’t rush to attack but mostly tested each other. However, the excitement, ups and downs, and unexpected moments started from the very beginning. After several rounds of sprints, breakaways, and re-catches, a bunch sprint ultimately unfolded as expected. Wu Bohong led his new teammate Su Ye in a sprint 100 meters before the finish line, securing an early lead. Su Ye raised his hand in celebration just 10 meters from the finish, and Wu Bohong also celebrated after crossing the line. Their post-race celebration bore a striking resemblance to that of riders from the former U.S. Columbia-HTC team, quickly going viral on social media. This moment will surely be forever recorded in the history of the China Cycling League and even China’s amateur cycling competitions. Finishing in 3 hours, 11 minutes, and 31 seconds, Wu Bohong broke the league’s previous record for the 140-kilometer men’s open category at Qiandao Lake, donning the leader’s jersey and taking the lead in the overall annual standings. For the team rankings, NFOKE-YANHAO Cycling Team, MERIDA Challenge Team, and Kuaike China Team secured the top three spots.

 

 

      This marks the third year Qiandao Lake has partnered with the China Cycling League. The combination of Qiandao Lake’s excellent road conditions and stunning scenery has made the “Around Qiandao” race a highly renowned event among cycling enthusiasts. As the league continues to grow, the opening race around Qiandao certainly adds another vibrant chapter to the development of cycling in China, holding great symbolic significance for both the league and Qiandao Lake itself.

      Following the successful hosting of two seasons and 14 races of the China Cycling League, the league’s wide reach, large audience, high level of competition, and extensive media coverage have become deeply ingrained in the minds of cyclists nationwide. For the 2017 season, the league introduces two major initiatives: first, implementing a tiered rating system to reward outstanding teams; second, launching an incubation program to support team development. These measures significantly enhance the league’s appeal to top-tier cyclists, while also encouraging greater inclusivity, providing more opportunities, and motivating more people to directly participate in the China Cycling League.

      The China Cycling League is the highest-level national points-based cycling league. It has become a prominent event in cross-regional cooperation and integrated media development in China, gradually building a comprehensive platform truly dedicated to serving Chinese cyclists. This stage of the race is organized by the Chinese Cycling Association and the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau, hosted by the Chun’an County People’s Government, co-organized by the China National Scenic Area Association and the Zhejiang Provincial Scenic Area Association, and exclusively operated by Shizhi Sports. The first leg of the 2017 league received strong sponsorship from ZGL, China Life, Master Kong, Gatorade, Dan Sports Apparel, Youxing, JAC Motors, and Codoon.

 

      The new season of the China Cycling League has updated its competition structure, adding new categories based on the men’s open group. Starting March 12, races will be held for the men’s road age A/B groups and the women’s open group. Stay tuned for these upcoming events.

      The 2017 season of the China Cycling League includes the following stages: March 11–12 Zhejiang? Chun’an Qiandao Lake, March 25–26 Guizhou? Zunyi Huichuan, April 8–9 Hubei? Zhijiang, May 13–14 Jiangsu? Xinyi, May 26–28 Sichuan? Mianzhu, August 26–27 Chongqing? Fengjie, and September 23–24 Jiangsu? Suzhou Yangcheng Lake.