Beijing to Host World Cycling Tour Event for First Time

China is set to host an event on the world cycling tour for the first time.

The International Cycling Union said the inaugural Tour of Beijing will be held October 5-9 of next year.

Pending the award of a license, the agreement between the UCI and Chinese authorities is initially set for four years, running through 2014.

UCI president Pat McQuaid said the event will help the governing body’s mission to make cycling more global.

The director of the Beijing Sports Bureau, Li Yingchuan, added that the tour in China would not be possible if not for the exposure the sport received from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Li also said the race could have important environmental benefits because it will act as a catalyst for getting Chinese citizens out of their cars and onto their bicycles.

Other stops on UCI’s WorldTour include Oceania’s Tour Down Under and Canada’s Quebec and Montreal Grand Prix.

Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.