The 2013 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, a scheduled event of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), will take place on September 21 in Yanqing County, Beijing. Nearly 100 top riders from over 20 countries and regions are expected to compete.
This marks the first time the UCI has held its cyclo-cross competition in Asia. The event will include men's elite, women's elite, and under-20 youth categories.
Cyclo-cross is a long-standing and highly popular cycling discipline in Europe that has evolved into a professional UCI-sanctioned event. The race combines elements of mountain biking, road cycling, and off-road running. Riders not only need strong biking skills but also must carry their bikes on non-ridable sections — a key distinction between cyclo-cross and other off-road competitions.
The event is jointly organized by Dalian Qiansen Group, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, and the People’s Government of Yanqing County, Beijing.
Dalian Qiansen Group is a professional service provider specializing in sports facility construction. It has participated in building venues for major events such as the Beijing Olympics, and in recent years has focused on developing cycling-themed parks. The group has been involved in the design and construction of the Shanghai Chenjiadun Cycling Park, Henan Xuchang Cycling Park, and Shenyang Qipanshan Mountain Bike Park. Song Lishan, chairman of Qiansen Group, stated that the company intends to leverage this UCI cyclo-cross event to develop an eco-friendly cycling-themed park along the Guishui River in Yanqing.