On April 20, 2014, the Akino National University Outdoor Cycling Tour officially kicked off. The first event — the “2nd ‘Akino Cup’ Central China Universities Cycling Development Forum and Mountain Bike Exchange Race” — was successfully held at Nanwangshan of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Hosted by China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and exclusively sponsored by Akino, the event was themed “Embrace Nature, Dare to Strive, Exchange Humbly, and Enjoy the Ride.” Through the cycling development forum, it promoted exchanges and learning among university cycling associations. The Wuchang cycling tour and exchange race helped promote cycling culture and advocated low-carbon, healthy travel, enhancing the influence of cycling sports among universities in Central China.
It is understood that this event is a continuation of the highly successful “1st ‘Akino Cup’ Central China Universities Cycling Culture Development Forum and Mountain Bike Exchange Race” held on May 19, 2013. With the support of the Communist Youth League Committee of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and the newly elected presidents and members of cycling associations from universities across Central China, this Central China universities cycling club exchange and racing event aims to foster the healthy development of university cycling clubs in the region and has become a major gathering for cycling enthusiasts in Central China universities.
As the organizer, the Cycling Association of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), building on the foundation of the first forum and competition, continued to promote the spirit of fearlessness in the face of challenges and daring to strive. Despite tight academic schedules and the lessons learned from the first event's lack of experience, through two months of well-organized preparation and continuous promotion, the event expanded its influence. Over 230 participants from more than 30 university cycling clubs across the province and beyond were invited to compete and exchange. Support came not only from cycling associations in Hubei and Hunan provinces but also from the Shenyang University Cycling Alliance in the northeast, as well as participants from Chongqing University and Guilin University of Technology in the southwest.
The exchange race featured men’s individual, women’s individual, and mixed team relay events. After fierce competition, Mo Tingwu from Wuhan Sports University, the defending champion from the previous event, retained his title in the men’s category. Huang Siting, president of the Cycling Association of South-Central Minzu University, won the women’s category. The most exciting part of the race — the team relay — was claimed by a team from Hunan Normal University after a thrilling competition, earning them a 2,000-yuan voucher provided by Akino.
According to a representative from Akino, this event is one of the initiatives under the “Ride the World – Akino Annual Partner Program,” launched in February 2014 at ISPO. Starting in May, Akino will also collaborate with more university cycling associations in densely populated university areas such as Beijing in North China, Chengdu in Southwest China, Shenyang in Northeast China, Shanghai in East China, and Xi'an in Northwest China, to carry out the National University Cycling Tour. A wider variety of cycling culture promotion activities will be integrated into these events, aiming to promote cycling as a healthy and green outdoor lifestyle among students and gradually build deeper brand recognition of Akino, an online-created outdoor fashion cycling brand, among the target audience.
Here are the highlights from this event:
Cao Zhongyu, founder of the event and president of the university cycling association, speaking at the forum
Forum exchange event venue
The forum used WeChat wall promotion for the first time, leading to rapid growth in targeted followers
Beautiful East Lake shore, returning from the Wuchang cycling tour
Competitors waiting to start in the exchange race
Brave riders leaping over obstacles
Fearless female riders speeding ahead
The moment of baton exchange in the team relay race
Award-winning athletes in the men’s individual category
Award-winning athletes in the women’s individual category
Award ceremony for the top three teams in the team relay race
The schedule for the next two stops of the “2014 Akino National University Cycling Tour” in May is as follows:
Second Stop: May 9–11, Beijing Yanqing Mountain Bike Riding Base
Akino partners with Peking University Cycling Association to host the “12th National University Mountain Bike Exchange Race”
Third Stop: May 10–11, Shuangliu Muma Mountain, Chengdu
Akino collaborates with Sichuan University to host the “1st Southwest China University Mountain Bike Exchange Race”