Tour of Hainan 2008

Publiceret af: danny 2008-09-01

2008 Tour of Hainan, China
Top Tour in Asia

Tour of Hainan, China, will be held this year during November 11-19 at the same venue as last year but with more exiting and challenging routes. The race is sanctioned and supported by various organizations such as UCI, the State Sports General Administration, China Central Television and jointly organized by Hainan Provincial People’s Government, Chinese Cycling Association, Hainan Provincial Cultural Office and Sanya People’s Government.

The race was initiated in 2006 at 2.2 UCI Asia Tour level but proved very popular and successful among professional cycling teams, sponsors and home crowds. In 2007 the race was upgraded to class 2.1 same as this year but total prize money is being increased from 150,000USD to 200,000USD. The organizer will invite maximum 20 strong teams of 7 riders and 4 officials from all continents to participate the race. The organizer has strong intention to make Tour of Hainan to be one of the best races in Asia and plan to upgrade the race to the higher levels of 2.HC and Pro Tour in the years to come. We probably will see a Pro Tour outside Europe first time in Asia here.

ToH 2008 will take place over 9 days of 1 prologue and 8 stages covering virtually the whole island of 1300km visiting most major towns like Sanya, Baoting, Lingshui, Wanning, Qionghai , Wenchang, Haikou, Chengmai, Tunchang, Qiongzhong, Danzhou, Pak Sha, Changjiang, Dongfang, and Wuzhishan. Riders will be tested with all kinds of roads ranging from fast flats to hard hill climbs but most of all participants will enjoy the atmosphere of tropical surrounding as they call Hainan “the Oriental Hawaii”.

The organizer hope Tour of Hainan will increase more awareness of this smallest province in China, where situated on the largest ocean island, at the southernmost of China mainland to be a popular tourist destination. And in return will improve the economic of the province as well as the cycling sport itself.

Yanyong Charoenpong
September 1, 2008