Global Cycling Promotions
2012 Tour of Beijing route announced
UCI-owned event creator/promoter Global Cycling Promotions copped flak on many aspects of its inaugural Tour of Beijing, including a dearth of spectators, pollution, location and even the very fact that it existed. Well, the race is here to stay until at least 2014, so GCP has focused on a more exciting route for the Chinese … Continue reading
InSight | Bloomberg interview with UCI’s Pat McQuaid
Unfortunately for the UCI, its President Pat McQuaid’s personality and strong opinions have previously resulted in soundbites that may not best represent the global view within the UCI. One has to wonder what McQuaid’s colleagues will think of his latest interview with Bloomberg, which runs the gamut from breakaway leagues to conflicts of interest.
Cycling iQ Twintel | 25 – 31 March 2012
Noise emanating from professional cycling’s European spring classics understandably drowned out the distant hum of bicycle industry and racing snippets from Asia; which doesn’t mean nothing happened in this part of the world. Ad men, analysis, embargoes, trade secrets and web exclusives featured on Cycling iQ’s Twitter feed during the past week
Tour de India | Progression or exclusion by UCI?
Amidst the fuss over the UCI’s seemingly monopolistic pursuit of WorldTour event ownership in China, via UCI subsidiary Global Cycling Promotion (GCP), hardly a word has been spoken about near-neighbour India. However, there have been some interesting developments behind the scenes of the ‘Tour de India’, scheduled for March 2012.
Tour of Hangzhou | Second WorldTour event for China and Global Cycling Promotion
When I woke up to a UCI Press Release titled “Professional Cycling Council meeting – The Licence Commission to rule on Saxo Bank-Sungard team” this morning, I almost didn’t open it. Little did I know almost half the press release related to a new UCI WorldTour stage race in China. Huh?
2011 Tour of Beijing | A sponsor’s perspective
Universal Cycle Corporation (UCC) was “designated bicycle sponsor” at the recent Tour of Beijing. That’s quite a big deal, considering China is home to a few *cough* GIANT bicycle brands. Richard Lin, UCC’s president, and Tony Wu, Owner of UCC’s China distributor Rapid Trading, joined me for a late-night coffee at the official team hotel … Continue reading
2011 Tour of Beijing | Day 5
Riders waking to Tour of Beijing’s final day withdrew heavy hotel curtains to reveal a greyscale environment, opaque and heavily infused with the legacy of China’s insatiable industrialisation. No doubt more than a few questioned the logic of their chosen vocation today, though it never seemed possible that air thick enough to support a chopstick … Continue reading
2011 Tour of Beijing | Day 4
Stunning scenery and opportunities to glimpse the Great Wall of China underscored today’s undulating 189.5km stage, from Yanqing Gui Chuan Square to Olympic Water Park, as the best yet. Our kamikaze driver, upon whom I bestowed the moniker “Maverick”, was in top form, thrashing our tortured Foton media van through the countryside and blasting the … Continue reading
2011 Tour of Beijing | Day 3
Finally, some proper hills. The 158km third stage, from Men Tou Gou to Yong Ning, featured three category one climbs, including an epic descent – the type that seems to contradict the theory that engineers are stable, logical beings. In the end though, a well-pedigreed Irishman took honours – whilst our van load of media … Continue reading
2011 Tour of Beijing | Day 2
Struck hard by illness and languishing in the bottom heap of the 152 rider peloton, Samuel Sanchez was expected to remain outside the major placings during today’s 148km second stage from Bird’s Nest Plaza to Men Tao Gou. By contrast, perhaps nobody expected a Chinese rider to be today’s most aggressive rider.
