As the Giro d Italia comes to a close with just four riders from Asia in the peloton, Cycling iQ looks at the role of the continent in pro cycling s globalisation and asks managers from a diverse cross-section of first- and second-division teams how it might change in future. Globalisation is a relatively recent … Read more
With 20% of South Korea s population, a sophisticated, health-conscious, consumer market and local government investment of KRW1.833 trillion (EUR1,140,000,000) into public transport infrastructure, Seoul city should seem a logical location for a bicycle exhibition. But why doesn t anyone go? Attention, citizens of Seoul the 2010 Seoul Bicycle Show is now open. Hello? Anyone … Read more
Founded in 1981 by Graham Turner, Flight Centre today, Australia s largest travel agency is an extremely diversified group of companies. Amongst its portfolio of 36 mostly travel-related brands, a bicycle division is taking flight. It s been a bumpy few years for the Australian bicycle industry. Whilst large companies like Pacific Brands are divesting … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
Siloed in the NE Asia market (with Indonesia an exception), UCC might well be the biggest bicycle brand you never heard of. Since inception five years ago, Universal Cycle Corporation s year-on-year growth is modest in the context only a Chinese start-up in a country with 8-10% annual economic growth could truly relate to. So … Read more
Yesterday, Cycling iQ explored the development of emerging bicycle brand UCC in its home territory of China. Though UCC produces 50,000 self-branded bicycles each year, another 400,000 units are produced in its factories for other well-known bicycle brands. The most enduring relationship of this kind is with Australasian brand, Avanti. Welcome to the world of … Read more
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. … Read more
Trek Bicycle Corporation began direct market activities in China in 2005, launching with 20 independent retailers and two Trek Concept stores. In 2011, Trek China boasts 260 retail outlets nationwide. Whilst general economic growth has been responsible for boosting the local bicycle market, a successful local marketing program has been pivotal. Fabian Cancellara s Leopard-Trek … Read more
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 dudes had … Read more