Chongming:Chongming Island The Tour of Chongming Island, an elite women's multi-stage road cycling race, concluded on October 11, drawing together top cyclists, amateur riders, and fans to celebrate sport, sustainability, and local culture.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event is part of the qualification process for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with cyclists competing for crucial qualification points.
The race began on October 9 with the Chongzhong Stage, a 110.4-kilometre city circuit race, followed by the 129.4-kilometre Chongdong Stage on October 10. This stage started at Changxing Island Country Park and traversed through Chenjia Town in Dongpatan, known for its popularity among riders in previous races.
The final stage, the 108.6-kilometre Chongxi Stage, took place on October 11. Throughout the three stages, professional teams vied for the overall title and distinctive leader's jerseys, with a stage winner announced each day. The competition included sprint finishes, breakaways, and tactical battles as riders covered over 100 kilometres per stage.
The route highlighted several of Chongming's landmarks and natural attractions, such as the Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge, Dongtan Wetland, Xisha Pearl Lake, Chongming New City Park, and Changxing Island Country Park.
Organised jointly by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the General Administration of Sport of China, and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the event was hosted by the Chinese Cycling Association, Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau, and Chongming District People's Government. The Shanghai Cycling Association and Shanghai Wansheng Culture and Sports Industry Co Ltd were co-organisers.
After the Tour of Chongming Island, Olympic medallists and UCI world champions will compete at the 2026 Tissot UCI Track World Championships, scheduled for October 14 to 18.
In addition to the races, the venue featured a bazaar of local specialties and a tourism experience centre. Free shuttle buses connected central Shanghai with the venue, and ticket holders and participants enjoyed discounts at major shopping areas, carnivals, and other activities.
Chongming offers a unique perspective of Shanghai with its forested landscapes and waterfront scenery. As more major sporting events are hosted on the island, sport is becoming increasingly integrated into its tourism scene, blending cycling with culture, commerce, and local life.