The international nature of professional cycling is one of the most appealing aspects of the sport. In addition to its usual collection of Europeans and Americans, the Discovery Channel team has now added a Chinese rider, according to a story in China Daily.Li Fuyu could become the first Chinese to compete at the Tour de France. Discovery already has a Japanese rider, Fumiyuki Beppu.
Li adds a 12th nationality to the Discovery Channel team.
"This is something out of my expectation," Li told China Daily. "I hope that this will increase the awareness for the sport and also cycling participation in China."
If you've ever been to Beijing, as I have a few years ago, you know that there are plenty of people riding bikes (there are more than 300 million bikes in China) -- maybe just not competitively!
Li, 28, who has been riding for China's Marco Polo Cycling Team, is the first Chinese to join an International Cycling Union (UCI) ProTour team.
Li won at the 10th National Chinese Games last October; and during this past season, won the GP Westfalen in Germany and the Tour of Thailand, the first time a Chinese rider has won the overall at an international pro race. He finished third in both the Road Race and Time Trial events at the Chinese National Championships in August.
Why did Discovery Channel add Li to its 27-man roster?
"Fuyu has proven that he is a strong rider, has had some impressive results and we are excited to have him as a member of our Team," team director Johan Bruyneel said. "He will certainly need some time to get used to the speed and style of racing but I will design a program that allows him to be successful. I am sure he will adapt quickly."
I have have been to Beijing-the man speaks the truth, though by the same logic Vietnam should field its own team!
ReplyDeleteA cyclist from China to experience cutting-edge competitive cycling with a team like Discovery will no doubt revitalize public interest in the bicycle; in a country where it has been much-regulated as a mere transportation vehicle, and not much as competition or even recreational. Although 2006 has been a good year for Chinese competitive cycling. Not only did Li Fuyu win the 2006 Tour De Thailand and a couple of European events, but Yong Feng won the men's 2006 World Cup 1,000m time-trial and Mu Di won the women's Keirin in Australia.
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