Beijing to Host World Cycling Tour Event

BEIJING (AP) — China is set to host an event on the world cycling tour for the first time. The tour of Beijing will be held Oct. 5-9, pending the award of a license.

The president of UCI (International Cycling Union) said the event would advance the governing body’s mission to make cycling more global.

"We are all aware that Asia has a huge pool of talent and immense passion for our sport and I am convinced that the whole cycling movement will profit from the very considerable beneficial effects of an event of this size," he said.

Other stops on UCI's World Tour already include Oceania's Tour Down Under and the Quebec and Montreal Grand Prix.

"The concept of organizing an event such as the Tour of Beijing would probably never have seen the light of day if this country and city had not had the immense privilege of hosting the Olympic Games," Li said, director of the Beijing Sports Bureau.

"The Tour of Beijing will be a catalyst to getting our citizens out of their cars and back on to their bicycles, the traditional mode of transport in China," he said.

The agreement between the UCI and the Chinese authorities is initially valid for four years, running through to 2014.