Highlights of Riders' Performances and Event
On September 22, the 2024 inaugural Around Tour of Shanghai Cycling Race successfully concluded at the Dishui Lake in Lingang. The event attracted 20 professional teams from various countries and regions including China, France, UAE, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia, with a total of 132 riders participating. The race lasted three days, spanning five new cities: Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian, and Nanhui, covering a total riding distance of nearly 300 kilometers. The event not only showcased the riders' fighting spirit but also highlighted the unique natural scenery and cultural charm of Shanghai's five new cities.
Review of Stages and Highlights
Stage One: Jiading New City
On September 20, 2024, the inaugural Around Tour of Shanghai Cycling Race officially kicked off in Jiading New City. The 111-kilometer circuit race saw fierce competition among the riders in the rain. In the end, Oskar NISU from the Ferei Quick Mongolian Continental Team took first place in the overall individual standings and donned the blue jersey. Petr RIKUNOV from the Chengdu Continental Team won the green jersey for the overall sprint points leader, Daniil Savekin from the JIC-MR1 Team was crowned best young rider, and Sun Wentao from the Li-Ning Star Continental Team became the best Asian rider.
Stage Two: Qingpu New City and Songjiang New City
On September 21, 2024, the second stage took place in Qingpu New City and Songjiang New City, covering a distance of about 87.2 kilometers. Riders fought hard in the drizzle, with Martin Laas from the Ferei Quick Mongolian Continental Team eventually securing first place in the individual standings for this stage and earning the blue jersey. Melvin Cromelinck from the Nice Métropole Côte d'Azur Team in France was named the best young rider, while Sun Wentao retained his title as the best Asian rider.
Stage Three: Fengxian New City to Nanhui New City
On September 22, the race entered its third and final stage, spanning from Fengxian New City to Dishui Lake in Nanhui New City. After intense competition, Martin Laas once again excelled, taking first place in the individual standings and winning both the blue jersey and the green jersey for overall sprint points leader. Sun Wentao, with his consistent performance, undoubtedly claimed the magenta jersey as the best Asian rider, while Melvin Cromelinck received the white jersey for the best young rider. The overall team standings were topped by the Chengdu Continental Team, and the best Asian team performance was achieved by the HuanSheng-SCOM-Taishan Sports Continental Team.
Outstanding Performances by Riders
Throughout the three-day race, the riders demonstrated not only superb cycling skills but also resilient determination in varying weather conditions. In the Jiading New City stage, riders raced through the rain with remarkable performance. In the Qingpu to Songjiang stage, Martin Laas crossed the finish line first in the drizzle, showcasing a flawless performance. During the Fengxian to Nanhui stage, under sunny and pleasant conditions, the riders once again engaged in an exciting competition, with Martin Laas and Sun Wentao displaying unparalleled strength.
Mass Participation and Future Prospects
Following the professional race, nearly 1,500 cycling enthusiasts participated in a 38-kilometer mass cycling event around the beautiful Dishui Lake, further promoting the popularity and development of cycling. The successful hosting of the Around Tour of Shanghai Cycling Race not only facilitated the integration of sports, culture, tourism, commerce, and exhibitions but also significantly boosted local tourism consumption in hotels, catering, and shopping, becoming a new highlight of the Shanghai Summer International Consumption Festival.
The event was co-organized by the Chinese Cycling Association, Shanghai Sports Bureau, the People's Governments of Jiading District, Qingpu District, Songjiang District, Fengxian District, and the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lingang New Area Administration Committee, and Shanghai JUSS (Group) Co., Ltd. The event was hosted by the Sports Bureaus of Jiading District, Qingpu District, Songjiang District, and Fengxian District.
By promoting cultural and tourism exchanges through sports events, the Around Tour of Shanghai Cycling Race not only further advanced the development of domestic cycling but also showcased the achievements of Shanghai's five new cities, deepening the integration of industry and urban development. In the future, Shanghai will continue to strive to become a world-class international sports event city, continuously enhancing its international influence and reputation.
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