The new Tour of China is expected to take cycling to a higher level and lift the sport's profile, Tang Yue reports from the city of Taian in Shandong

Organizers of the Tour of China have set their sights on turning the cycling race into the leading event of its type in Asia within the next three years and have the ultimate goal of making it a "Chinese version of the Tour de France".

"Our first aim is to make the Tour of China the best in Asia. I believe it won't take more than three years for us to be as good as the Tour of Langkawi (one of Asia's highest-level road races)," said Sun Liping, president of the China Olympic Sports Industry, a co-organizer of the Tour of China.

"We already have the Tour of Qinghai Lake and the Tour of Hainan Island but this is the first time we have used the name of Tour of China. We are determined to make it a glorious one, otherwise we would not have used such a big title," Sun said.

Starting in Xi'an, Sha'anxi province on Sept 10, the 2,098-kilometer race passed through six cities in five provinces before reaching its final stage in Tianjin on Sunday. The $200,000 event attracted about 120 cyclists who made up 18 teams from Asia, Europe, America and Australia.

"For a first-time event, it is really very, very good. The organization is very good; everybody knows what to do," said Leon van Bon of the Marco Polo Team (China).

"It is also interesting to see so many Chinese cities, which is also very important for the race. Xi'an is my favorite city," said the 38-year-old Dutchman, who went to the see the Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an before the opening stage.

"Things are very different here and the scenery is very beautiful," he said on Thursday, after the stage in Mount Tai, Shandong province.

However, van Bon, the winner of a stage of the Tour de France in 1997 and also in 2000, said the event, which includes three city circuits, three highway stages and only one mountain ride, could be more challenging.

"The stages could be longer and more interesting. However, to start this way is the safe thing to do. When you always ride on the highway with no cars, no crazy things can happen," he said.

His opinion is shared by John Pierce, a photographer of Photosport International, who has covered the Tour de France since 1966.

"Safety concerns must always come first when you hold an event for the first time. Next time it may be better," Pierce said.

"Spectators are also learning the sport. This year they perhaps stopped to watch; next year they will come to watch. It takes some time."

According to Sun, Xi'an, located in the center of China, will be the permanent starting point of the Tour de China and next year's destination is likely to be Shanghai, which would lead to a longer and more challenging course.

"Hopefully, we can have a Tour of China in the real sense of the term little by little and finally make it another Tour de France in the future." Sun said.

Han Jiling, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Cycling Association, is more reserved in his outlook, but believes the vast territory and variety of cultures in China could give the event great vitality and charm.

"The Tour de France has a history of more than 100 years and we are a still a new-born baby. We still have a lot to do," Han said. "But the vast area of the country provides natural and tremendous advantages for us and the local culture will also add much color to such a long-distance event."

(China Daily 09/19/2010 page8)