Summary:
China's cycling team has made a strong start in their preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics. On February 16, 2025, Lv Xianjing clinched victory in the men's elite road race at the 44th Asian Road Cycling Championships held in Thailand. This marks the first time since 2002 that a Chinese cyclist has achieved this honor. The race spanned a total distance of 171.9 kilometers and featured challenging climbing segments. Lv Xianjing showcased remarkable form in the final stages, defeating strong competitors and winning with a lead of over 30 seconds. This victory not only highlights the strength of Chinese cyclists but also provides valuable experience for the national team's preparations in this new cycle.
Full Text:
China's cycling team has made an impressive start in their preparations for the Los Angeles
Olympics (2025-2028).
On February 16, 2025, at the 44th Asian Road Cycling Championships in Thailand, Chinese national team member Lv Xianjing from Yunnan province delivered an outstanding performance, completing the 171.9-kilometer course in 3 hours, 46 minutes, and 35 seconds. He triumphed over formidable opponents from Thailand, Mongolia, and Japan to secure the championship!
This victory is significant as it is the first time in 23 years that a Chinese cyclist has reached the pinnacle of Asian cycling. Moreover, with his win at the 2023 Asian Mountain Bike Championships, Lv Xianjing has become the first Asian cyclist to claim titles in both road and mountain bike disciplines, making history.
The 44th Asian Road Cycling Championships took place from February 7 to February 16, 2025, with the men's elite road race being one of the most anticipated events scheduled for the final day. The race commenced in Phitsanulok Province in northern Thailand and concluded at Baan Rak Thai.
The race route covered a total distance of 171.9 kilometers, including five flat loops, with the finish line set at the Baan Rak Thai climb. The first 160 kilometers were predominantly flat, culminating in a challenging ascent with a maximum gradient of 28%, marking it as one of the toughest climbing segments in the history of the Asian Road Cycling Championships.
The Chinese national team fielded a five-member lineup consisting of Li Zhen（李桢
）, Li Yuheng（李玉恒）, Lv Xianjing（吕先景）, Teng Yun（滕耘）, and Ma Binyan（马彬焱）, all focused on securing victory for Lv Xianjing.
Prior to the race, the team conducted an extensive analysis of the course and developed corresponding tactics. Li Zhen and Ma Binyan were tasked with leading on flat sections while Teng Yun and Li Yuheng provided support for Lv Xianjing during the climb. The support team also made meticulous arrangements to ensure that riders received adequate supplies and support throughout.
The race began in Phitsanulok, with the initial 110 kilometers shared with men's U23 and women's groups. After completing laps around Bueng Si Fai Lake, competitors turned towards Baan Rak Thai climb. The first two hours were fast-paced as riders from various nations launched aggressive attacks, pushing the peloton's average speed to 60 kilometers per hour. Under tight control from Kazakhstan's team, no successful breakaway groups formed before completing the loops. The Chinese national team made several attempts to attack but ultimately settled into a protective position at the front of the peloton to shield Lv Xianjing.
In the final 50 kilometers of racing, Lv Xianjing positioned himself strategically within the peloton with assistance from his teammates to conserve energy for the climb ahead. Kazakhstan's four-time Asian ITT champion Yevgeniy Fedorov initiated a powerful solo attack after completing the loops, achieving a maximum lead of 1 minute and 42 seconds over the main group before being caught by pursuing riders at the base of the climb.
As they approached Baan Rak Thai climb, Thai rider Peerapol Chawchiangkwang was first to accelerate in an attempt to breakaway from the pack. However, Lv Xianjing closely followed his rival up the steep slope and launched a decisive counterattack near the summit, effectively outpacing his competitor! In the final five kilometers, Lv Xianjing continued to extend his lead while Peerapol was overtaken by Mongolian rider Jambaljamts Sainbayar.
In the last kilometer of racing, Lv Xianjing maintained a lead exceeding 30 seconds as he crossed the finish line solo—becoming only the third Chinese cyclist in history to win the men's elite road race at the Asian Road Cycling Championships, following Tang Xuezhong (1989) and Wang Guozhang (2002)!
Race Results (Top 10):
*Reported by Charles Lee from Qile.com; images courtesy of China Huaxing Mentech Continental Cycling Team.
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