Cyclists crank up the power in Tour of Taihu
Print Edition
CHONGMING Island continues to attract international cycling races.
The fourth stage of the Tour of Taihu gave professional cyclists a chance to race around winding roads with a combination of countryside and seaside scenery.
Now in its 5th year, the 10-stage Tour of Taihu started on November 1 and covers 1,900 kilometers. It attracted 20 top national and professional teams from 15 countries including Australia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, Germany and China.
Chen Xiaoping, secretary general of the tour’s organizing committee, says they made some changes to this year’s race.
“The fourth stage started at Qidong Binhai Industrial Park in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, and ended in Chongming. It’s the first time that the tour has included stages in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai,” Chen says.
Jurgen Van Diemen of the Netherlands won the 129.7km stage in a time of 2:41:50.
“My team helped me a lot and pushed me to the best situation in the front of the peloton.” Van Diemen says. “I caught the best timing and got first place in this stage.”
Australia’s Samuel Witmitz and Alois Kankovsky of the Czech Republic finished second and third respectively.
Kankovsky retained the orange jersey as the tour’s overall leader. He has clocked 11:03:02 through four stages and also holds the green jersey as the points leader.
Ma Guangtong from the China Shandong Hengxiang Continental Team holds the red jersey as the Chinese overall leader.
Chongming has been hosting professional cycling races for more than a decade.
In May, the International Cycling Union held its Women’s Road World Cup race on the scenic island. The annual race has been held on the island since 2009.
International races have been staged in the county since 2006, when it hosted the men’s Tour of Chongming Island. The island first started hosting big-time cycling events when it held national races between 2003 and 2005.
Recommended cycling tours
• National Forest Route
Dongping National Forest Park — Beiyan Rd — Changzheng Rd — Linfeng Rd — Beiyan Rd — Dongping National Forest Park
Length: 17km
Time: 2.5 hours including sightseeing
Dongping Forest Park provides a welcome respite from the urban jungle and has a large barbecue area for up to 200 people. Barbecues can be rented and ingredients purchased at the park. Chongming specialties include sweet corn, potato, lamb, yarns and cake are available. Try the sugar sorghum juice and, if you’re in the mood for something stronger, Chongming white spirit.
The park also has a camping area so the more adventurous may want to bring a tent and stay overnight. The camping area has hot water showers and lockers. Bring the whole family and get some much needed time together without any distractions.
• Tangerine and Crab Route
Mingzhu Lake — Sanhua Rd — Xinjian Rd — Sanlu Rd — Chongxi Water Gate — World Sandbar Water Culture Museum — Changjiang Costal Line — Lugang Village — Xinbao Rd — Mingzhuhu Rd — Sanhua Rd — Mingzhu Lake
Length: 14km
Time: 3 hours including sightseeing
Crabs and tangerines are now in season. Casting off the reputation of being “black and small,” Chongming hairy crabs are gaining popularity in the market as they are bigger with delicate meat and plump, tasty roe. With a bright cyan back, white abdomen, golden claws and dense yellow hair, these crabs are seriously tasty. You can also try some sweet tangerines in Luhua Town.
Mingzhu Lake is Shanghai’s biggest with 200 hectares of water area. In the park, there are more than 50 kinds of trees including magnolia, dawn redwood and gingko.
• Chongming Circuit Route
Yingzhou Park — Aoshan Rd — Gulangyu Rd —Caogang Rd — Beichen Rd — Dongtan Wetland Park — Beiyan Rd — Yuexin Rd — Chongxi Water Gate — The World Sandbar Water Culture Museum — Xisha Wetland Park — Mingzhu Lake — Miaogang Water Gate, South Gate
Length: 238km
Time: 3 days
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