author：qinghaihu publish time：2015-05-31
The 14th “Qinghai Rural Credit Cup” Tour of Qinghai Lake has officially revealed its race itinerary and route map. The event will take place from 5th to 18th, with 13 stages covering a total riding distance of 2022km. The route runs through three provinces including Qinghai, Gansu, and Ningxia. The announced stages in order are: Xining Circuit Race, Duoba>Datong, Xining>Qinghai Lake, Qinghai Lake>Gangcha, Xihai>Gonghe, Gonghe>Guide, Guide>Xunhua> Xunhua>Linxia, Linxia>Dingxi, Tianshui>Pingliang, Zhongwei Circuit Race and Shuitonggou>Yinchuan.
Tour of Qinghai Lake is the highest international cycling race in the world. As challenging as always, for this edition the racing altitude is 3786 meters maximum, 1072 meters minimum, and 2024 meters in average.
Compared to last edition, the route is modified to be more spectatable, while at the same time maintain a high standard. Total distance is shortened by 851 kilometers, of which 183 kilometers is racing distance, 668 kilometers is transfer distance. The stages are more closely linked. The number of mountain stages has increased to 9 this year. 3 of the circuit stages are kept and only 1 flat stage is featured in this edition. The organizer also intends to enhance public engagement by moving more racing road to country road instead of highway.
The route enters Qinghai Lake Scenery Park from the third stage. Last year the riders toured counterclockwise around Qinghai Lake. This edition, the route is set clockwise around via Gangcha, Xihai and Gonghe. Riders will have chance to enjoy more of the stunning natural heritage of the region as well as riding a high standard race.
Second half of the race used to have long transfer distance, teams had to travel a long distance all the way to Lanzhou for the closing stage. This year, the 9th stage is in Dingxi, Gansu Province, which helps riders to stay in form. In addition, Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region will witness the winner of Tour of Qinghai Lake as the new host city of final stage.
