The 2014 Taiwan Bicycle Mountain King Challenge will take place in Hualien City on the beautiful island of Taiwan on November 15. Yesterday, the event organizing committee held a press conference in Taipei to introduce various aspects of the race.
Photos from the 2013 event
This year marks the third edition of the Taiwan Bicycle Mountain King Challenge, with the total prize money raised to NT$2.41 million (approximately RMB 500,000). A total of 473 riders from around the world have registered to compete. Among them, the men’s champion will receive NT$1 million (approximately RMB 200,000), the highest in the event’s three-year history. The field includes top cyclists such as Wang Yin-zhi, a Taiwanese cycling star and 2013 third-place finisher, and Feng Jun-kai, the first Taiwanese rider to join a WorldTour team. International participants include Will Barta, the King of the Mountains from the 2014 California Cycling Race, and Tiffany Cromwell, the 2012 Giro d’Italia champion. From mainland China, the Fuzhou Cycling Association has formed a team to take part.
Although relatively new, the Taiwan Bicycle Mountain King Challenge has already been ranked among the world’s top ten most grueling races, alongside classic routes in the European Alps. The race starts at Qixingtan Beach in Hualien and finishes at Wuling on Hehuan Mountain, covering a total distance of 105 kilometers. Starting at sea level, the route climbs to an altitude of 3,275 meters at the finish — an astonishing elevation gain. Adding to the challenge, about 90 kilometers of the course feature an average gradient of 7%, while the final 10 kilometers reach a rare incline of 17% to 27%. This section is known as the “Paradise Road.”
Officials from the organizing committee explained yesterday that the route offers breathtaking scenery, showcasing nature’s majestic craftsmanship. Riders pass through spectacular canyons and enjoy stunning alpine landscapes along the way, making it not only a tough test but also a visually rewarding experience. Many participants consider it “a once-in-a-lifetime challenge worth taking.”