Tour de France 2017 kicks off its first-ever race in Shanghai
CGTN
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The 2017 Tour de France kicked off its Shanghai stage on Sunday morning, gathering the world’s best riders to compete in the Chinese coastal city.
It was the first time that the race has traveled to Shanghai, according to local media. Seven top Tour de France teams and five others from domestic will participated in the race.
A launching event was held in front of the city’s landmark Oriental Pearl Tower on Saturday, with the world’s top riders Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Warren Barguil making an appearance together with several Shanghai officials.
Yellow jersey winner and four-time winner Chris Froome poses with the trophy. /Photo via sohu.com
Yellow jersey winner and four-time winner Chris Froome poses with the trophy. /Photo via sohu.com
During the event, Tour de France organizer Amaury Sports Organization (ASO) awarded the trophy to yellow jersey winner and four-time winner Chris Froome the fourth time. The ASO said the move is to congratulate Froome’s performance in the season as well as to celebrate the event’s settling in Shanghai.
Many Chinese traditional elements were added into the launching event, which saw riders in Chinese traditional clothes, practicing Tai Chi and even painting the eyes of dancing lions with a brush.
According to an early statement published on the official website of China Criterium, the race will be held at the Shanghai World Expo Park on October 29th, and the riders will compete for more than 20 laps around the site.
Riders paint eyes for the dancing lions. /Photo via sohu.com
Riders paint eyes for the dancing lions. /Photo via sohu.com
Ahead of the professional competition, an amateur race was held in September in order to promote the concept of green travel and life.
Before Shanghai, the race has also been held in the Japanese city of Saitama.