——The China Cycling League returns to the City of Poetry, Fengjie. Who will claim the crown?
On August 19th, the seventh stage of the 2017 China Cycling League season — Chongqing·Fengjie, the Summit of the Three Gorges — will take place. Riders face the toughest stage of the season so far. Climbing the peak once again, strong teams are sure to seize this prime opportunity for a comeback. Amidst the clouds of the Three Gorges, the battle for the summit — who will come out on top?
Land of Colorful Clouds, Rich in Culture
China is a nation of poetry, and Fengjie is its homeland. For thousands of years, on this ancient and magical land, nearly a thousand poets, including Li Bai, Du Fu, and Liu Yuxi, have left behind tens of thousands of timeless masterpieces, earning Fengjie the reputation of the "City of Poetry." The culture of the City of Poetry has become a regional hallmark, carrying the most splendid chapters of the Three Gorges culture and serving as the soul of Three Gorges cultural tourism. “By observing human culture, we transform the world.” Showcasing the charm of the City of Poetry, nurturing a love for literature, and enhancing cultural literacy are our pursuits.
In ancient times, Kuiguo had its old customs,
Come and tread the pebble beach, do not rush away.
It is because the harvest is bountiful and the people are joyful,
That even at the start of spring, the air is lush and fragrant.
We fear the basket-bearers might brush against the dancing sleeves,
But there's no harm in letting the waist drums and song bells make noise.
The general’s small troop arrives at the riverbank,
Wishing to share a laugh with the remaining people.
From this poem “Treading the Pebble Beach,” which depicts the ancient folkways of Fengjie, we can learn that the folk songs of ancient Bayu were widely loved. We gain insight into the simple and unadorned folk customs and the valor-loving spirit of the Bayu region during the Tang Dynasty. Combined with the spiritual strength of an agrarian people, it inspired hard work in farming and conveyed the thriving spirit of the Bayu people. For over 3,000 years, Chongqing has been marked by the imprints of traditional Chinese culture, and the Bayu spirit has melted into the folk culture of the Daba Mountains people.
The Charm of Fengjie Oranges, Blossoming and Bearing Fruit
Fengjie navel oranges are a uniquely distinctive agricultural product. They are the only oranges that can be kept fresh while still on the tree, with a crisp and tender texture that melts in your mouth. Through strong government promotion and active e-commerce initiatives, the popularity of Fengjie navel oranges has greatly increased. Alongside the continuous promotion of the new impression of Chongqing — “Poetry & Orange, the Summit of the Three Gorges, Fengjie,” this Chinese highland of poetic culture and geographical high point along the Yangtze River Three Gorges will be developed into a comprehensive tourist destination integrating travel, leisure, wellness, science education, vacationing, and outdoor sports.
“When the garden oranges ripen, three inches long like gold.” The culture of Yangtze River citrus and the poetry city culture continue to be explored. This year, the China Yangtze River Citrus Expo Park project will be launched, further highlighting the characteristics of the “Poetry & Orange Town” of Baidi Town. Drifting down the river, mooring overnight beneath the Baidi City of Fengjie. The slowly rising river water submerges the old county town, making way for the construction of a new one; the old gorges disappear, giving rise to new scenery. What remains unchanged is the enduring cultural heritage of a thousand years and the lasting, profound aftertaste that Fengjie navel oranges leave behind...
Returning to Fengjie, Who Will Claim the Crown
The China Cycling League first connected with Fengjie in 2015. The culture of two wheels has moved forward ever since, with the new season bringing bold liberation and the continuous realization of dreams. The road conditions for this stage have significantly improved compared to 2015. The newly added riverside boulevard is picturesque, the provincial road climbing section has been repaved and widened, there are more viewing platforms, and the number of supply points has increased to two.
In terms of competition, the difficulty of the route, the strength of the teams, and the number of climbing stars ensure that this league stage will attract significant attention from both the media and athletes. Although Ding Yong, the 2015 champion of the Chongqing Fengjie stage, regrettably will not be participating, this stage still boasts a gathering of top riders. Several strong teams are favored to win, including the NIFOKE Yanhao Team, Merida Challenger Team, YATAI Ride-Gusto Team, Sandike-Xinyuanhong Team, and Xinjiang CCL Black Knights Racing Wind Elite Team. Liao Junyan, the “climbing expert” of the Xinjiang CCL Black Knights Racing Wind Elite Team, who won the 2016 season’s highest overall difficulty stage at Tianshan Tianchi, will be one of the focal points for victory in this race. Hu Zhichao, the highly anticipated “new star for the championship” of the Merida Challenger Team and winner of the second stage of the season — the challenging short and steep Zunyi Huichuan stage — is expected to deliver notable results in this stage. Huo Haibing, the “climbing captain” among the four core members of the YATAI Ride-Gusto Team, is also highly regarded. “Mountain gods” Guo Xinwei of the Sandike-Xinyuanhong Team and Yu Guangwei of the CRS Leifeng Team will also compete in this summit battle. The NIFOKE Yanhao Team, currently leading in team standings, aims to maintain their position. In addition to having Hong Kunhong, who has strong climbing ability, participate, they have adjusted their strategy — sacrificing Su Ye’s individual points and instead fielding Li Xin, who has strong climbing skills. Furthermore, Hu Hao, Wu Bohong, and Shi Zongkang, who rank in the top three in individual standings, all possess exceptional overall abilities and will undoubtedly adjust their team tactics to compete for the highest honor of the China Cycling League. With climbing gods and strong riders gathered at the Summit of the Three Gorges, the intensity is imaginable. We wish all athletes the best of luck in achieving ideal results amidst the clouds of the Three Gorges.
This stage of the race coincides with the 3rd anniversary celebration of the China Cycling League, making it a battle for honor. The Summit of the Three Gorges is set to host a unique national-level top-tier event. While the league sparks enthusiasm for sports tourism, it also infuses speed and energy into the tourism brand of the Summit of the Three Gorges.