Emotional Ties to Huangshan, A Decade of Glory
The 10th Skoda HEROS China Huangshan (Yi County) International Mountain Bike Open Kicks Off This Week
Organized by the Chinese Cycling Association, CCTV Sports Channel, Anhui Provincial Sports Bureau, and the Huangshan Municipal People’s Government, the 10th Skoda HEROS China Huangshan (Yi County) International Mountain Bike Open will officially commence this weekend (March 28–29) in Yi County, a World Cultural Heritage site in southern Anhui. According to registration data released by the organizing committee, in addition to Chinese cyclists, professional riders from 13 countries and regions including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, as well as nearly a thousand mountain biking enthusiasts, will participate in the event. The competition is one of the longest-running mountain bike races in China and has developed into the country’s most representative cycling event over the past decade.
A Decade of Glory: Emotional Ties to Huangshan, Participation by the Thousands — A Journey of Ten Years Together
Established in 2006, the China Huangshan (Yi County) International Mountain Bike Open enters its tenth year this year. As a flagship event of Huangshan (Yi County), it has gradually become a renowned traditional brand cycling competition both domestically and internationally. With its excellent race experience, exciting activities, picturesque scenery, and the enchanting folk culture of ancient Yi County, the open has attracted over ten thousand participants from more than 60 countries and 30 provinces in China over the past decade, making it a major highlight in the cycling community. The event has cultivated a “fan effect” among mountain biking enthusiasts, with many riders competing for five consecutive years or more. Some “die-hard fans” have even taken part for all ten years, expressing that they’ve formed an inseparable bond with Huangshan.
Over the past ten years, the China Huangshan (Yi County) International Mountain Bike Open has not only received strong support from the General Administration of Sport of China but also gained widespread recognition from all sectors of society, earning numerous accolades. In 2008 and 2009, Yi County, the host location, was designated by the General Administration of Sport of China as the “China Cycling Association Mountain Bike Training Base” and the “National Fitness Outdoor Activity Camp,” respectively. In 2010 and 2011, the “China Huangshan (Yi County) International Mountain Bike Open” was awarded the titles of “China’s Top Sports Tourism Event” and “China’s Recommended Sports Tourism Project” by the General Administration of Sport of China and the National Tourism Administration.
Forged over a decade, the China Huangshan (Yi County) International Mountain Bike Open is being developed into China’s largest cycling event and is striving to join the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points race system.
Three Major Upgrades: The Toughest Course, The Most Activities, The Greatest Impact
According to the organizing committee, this year’s open will feature three major upgrades: the toughest course ever, the most activities ever, and the greatest impact ever.
The open this year includes men’s and women’s 18 km, 36 km, and 72 km categories, a 4 km family group, a 10 km experience group, and more. Additionally, the course layout has been updated, featuring a newly added Laoligu Ancient Plank Road section, making the overall difficulty the highest in the event’s history. Various levels of difficulty ensure the competition caters to riders ranging from professionals to amateurs.
In addition to the eight racing categories, the organizing committee has arranged over ten diverse activities during the two-day event. Whether professional athletes or casual enthusiasts and spectators, everyone can enjoy optimal interactive experiences, making this edition the richest in activities to date.
In addition to watching BMX pros perform stunts, tasting local specialties, and enjoying Huizhou folk performances, attendees can also try their hand at fun challenge zones. Children can join the Kids’ Obstacle Challenge with their parents, testing their riding skills over obstacles like balance beams and S-curves. Themed “Riding Through Painted Villages, Experiencing the Beauty of Huangshan,” the race takes place in the World Cultural Heritage sites of Xidi and Hongcun. The event coincides with the blooming of peach blossoms, rapeseed flowers, and azaleas in Yi County, offering stunning scenery along winding courses nestled between green mountains, clear waters, and white-walled, black-tiled houses. To this end, the organizers have also launched four themed cycling tours, allowing spectators to enjoy both the competition and local culture.
According to the event organizer, Olympian Sports, this year’s open has garnered extensive media coverage and attention. Even before the start, excitement is building, and the unprecedented level of interest is expected to attract thousands of domestic and international mountain bikers. The total number of participants, including media reporters, judges, volunteers, visiting delegations, and spectators, is projected to reach around 3,000.
Stay tuned and stay engaged:
