The 12th International Road Cycling Race to be Held in July

  Keywords: Tour of Qinghai Lake Gansu

  Reporters have learned that the 12th Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race, jointly organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, the National Radio and Television Administration, the People's Government of Gansu Province, the People's Government of Qinghai Province, and the People's Government of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, will kick off in July. The race includes 7.5 stages in Qinghai, 3.5 stages in Gansu, and 2 stages in Ningxia, covering a total distance of approximately 3,000 kilometers. The closing ceremony will be held in Lanzhou.

  After eleven successful editions, the Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race has developed into an official UCI road cycling event. Its status has been rated by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as a top-tier continental race, second only to the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España. The total prize money has been increased to 700,000 US dollars, making it the highest-level international road cycling event in China and Asia in terms of participating team quality, prize money, and media coverage.

  The 12th Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race will start on July 7 in Xining, Qinghai Province, and conclude on July 20 in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. The 14-day race will feature 13 stages in total, including 7.5 stages in Qinghai, 3.5 stages in Gansu, and 2 stages in Ningxia. The total race distance is approximately 3,000 kilometers, of which about 1,950 kilometers are competitive stages and about 1,050 kilometers are transfer stages. The race route will extend to Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, marking the first time that the provincial capitals of all three regions (provinces/autonomous regions) are included, further expanding the race’s regional reach and enhancing its influence.

  A total of 22 international teams from 17 countries across five continents will participate in this edition, including 17 UCI Continental Teams and 5 National Teams. Many of the riders have competed in top-tier international races such as the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España, achieving outstanding results. Gansu Bank and Qinghai Tianyoude Continental Cycling Teams will continue to compete as host teams.

  The 3.5 stages in Gansu Province include 2 circuit stages, 1 road stage, and 1 final stage. These are: Stage 8 on July 14 from Qilian, Qinghai to Zhangye; Stage 9 on July 16, the Zhangye Circuit Race; Stage 10 on July 17 from Wuwei to Jingtai; and the concluding Stage 13 on July 20, the Lanzhou Circuit Race. The total stage distance in Gansu is approximately 947 kilometers, accounting for one-third of the entire Tour of Qinghai Lake route. Of this, around 487 kilometers are competitive, and about 460 kilometers are transfer distances. The stages cover four cities in our province: Zhangye, Wuwei, Baiyin, and Lanzhou. With this, Gansu has become an important part of the Tour of Qinghai Lake route.

  The race routes within our province have been significantly adjusted compared to the 11th edition. For Stage 9, the Zhangye Circuit Race, to allow more citizens to conveniently watch this high-level cycling event, last year’s single-lap format has been changed to a city circuit race, with each lap being 21.6 kilometers for a total of 5 laps and 108 kilometers. This route covers major scenic spots in both the old and new urban areas of Zhangye, adding new highlights to the competition.

  Stage 10, the Wuwei–Jingtai stage, has been rerouted from last year’s section along the Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway to city and county roads. The new route features beautiful scenery along the way, adding color to the race.

  Stage 13, the Lanzhou Circuit Race, will continue to focus on the Hundred Li Yellow River Scenic Belt. Due to road construction on South Binhe Middle Road, last year’s route could no longer meet the required standards. To minimize traffic disruption in Lanzhou, the route has been adjusted to start and end at the International Convention and Exhibition Center, cycling along North Binhe Road and turning back at the Qilihe Yellow River Bridge. Each lap is 18 kilometers for a total of 5 laps and 90 kilometers. Meanwhile, the closing ceremony of the 12th Tour of Qinghai Lake, hosted by our province, will take place on July 20 after the race concludes, in the form of an award ceremony gala at the open-air stage of the Lanzhou Waterwheel Expo Park.