Though the winter chill has arrived, our passion remains undiminished. On November 17, 2024 Tour of Mentougou International Road Cycling Race and 2024 Mentougou Outdoor Mountain Cycling Tour Festival came to a successful conclusion in Mentougou District, Beijing, which is hosted by the Chinese Cycling Association, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, and Mentougou District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and organized by Beijing Sports Competition Administration and International Exchange Center, Mentougou District Sports Bureau of Beijing Municipality, and Mentougou District Sports Federation.
With a focus on "professional competition and mass fitness", this event offers an innovative model combining "professional competition and mass fitness", to meet the needs of different groups of people who want to participate in fashionable and green cycling activities, and enrich the sports, cultural, and leisure activities for the general public.
The two-day event featured two competitive categories: the Men's Road Professional Group City Circuit Race and the Men's Road Professional Group Peloton Race. Attracting a total of 21 elite teams from 17 countries and regions, the event saw top cyclists gather in Mentougou to compete for glory. Additionally, the Wild Outdoor Cycling Rally offered a Men's Road Open Group City Circuit Race, providing a platform for domestic amateur riders to compete and exchange.
The second day of the competition featured the Men's Road Professional Group Peloton Race, covering a distance of 115.2 kilometers. Starting from the renowned tourist town of Zhaitang, both domestic and international cycling elites traversed ancient towns, scaled majestic mountains, and passed through picturesque villages, immersing themselves in the ecological beauty and rich history of Mentougou. In the end, BEREZNYAK Aleksandr of Chengdu Intercontinental Cycling Team claimed victory with a time of 2 hours 55 minutes and 14 seconds. His teammate, RIKUNOV Petr, secured second place, while JAMBALJAMTS Sainbayar from the Mongolian National Team claimed the third spot. In the overall individual standings, BEREZNYAK Aleksandr claimed the first place in the overall individual classification thanks to his outstanding performance over the two days, followed by JAMBALJAMTS Sainbayar and ADNE VAN Engelen from Thailand ROOJAI Insurance Cycling Team in second and third place, respectively. In the team standings, the Mongolian National Team took the gold medal, followed by Chengdu Intercontinental Cycling Team and Thailand ROOJAI Insurance Cycling Team.
"I'm so glad I participated in this race. The entire event was a wonderful experience. The scenery here is absolutely stunning, especially the magnificent mountains. Cycling through such a beautiful landscape with the mountain breeze was unforgettable!" The unique mountain ecology and rich historical and cultural heritage of Mentougou have left a deep impression on the Ukrainian athlete.
As a host city, Mentougou boasts abundant natural resources and a rich historical and cultural heritage. Its unique mountainous terrain makes it a popular destination for cycling enthusiasts. The race route, designed to showcase national-level scenic areas and the most beautiful cycling paths, successfully integrates mountain culture with cycling, promoting the integration of "sports+" with multiple industries in Mentougou District.
In recent years, Mentougou has been actively exploring new models of "sports+" development, leveraging its rich natural resources, unique geographical advantages, and abundant mountain tourism resources. By integrating sports with tourism, culture, and other sectors, Mentougou has significantly enhanced the accessibility and utilization of its tourism resources, injecting new vitality into regional development through sports.
The successful hosting of the 2024 Tour of Mentougou International Road Cycling Race and 2024 Mentougou Outdoor Mountain Cycling Tour Festival not only provided the public with a thrilling sports event combining competition and fun but also played a significant role in promoting mass fitness and integrating cycling events with public health. It contributes to the building of a strong sports nation and a healthy China. Moreover, the event serves as a window to showcase Mentougou's status as an international mountain sports destination, helping to promote Mentougou as a premier international mountain tourism destination, an international mountain sports check-in point, and the top choice for micro-vacations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, thereby enhancing Mentougou's international reputation and influence.
