Fuyu Li (Trek Marco Polo Team) (Image credit: Jelajah Malaysia)
China's only professional cycling team since 2005, the GE - Marco Polo Team presented by Trek will take part in China's ten-day Tour of Qinghai Lake from July 11-20. The team, one of 21 total squads, will include a mix of Chinese and experienced international cyclists contesting the1,342km event.
Xing Yan Dong and Fuyu Li (both from China); Leon van Bon (Netherlands); Rhys Pollock and Jai Crawford (both Australia); Loh Sea Keong (Malaysia) and Sergey Kudentsov (Russia) will line up for the start in Xining.
Fuyu Li, who raced for the Discovery Channel Pro Tour team in 2007, qualified for China's Olympic Road Race team, and it's likely that he will be the only Chinese athlete in the Beijing men's road race.
"I am still not sure if I can race the whole race at Qinghai Lake, but I will be sure to support my team and use the race to prepare for the Olympics! I hope to be named officially as China's rider for this race soon," said Li.
Xing Yan Dong will be going for the title of best Chinese rider. "It will be a big challenge for me to try and get the blue jersey of best Chinese rider, but I will try hard. I have raced some high level races like Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia and Tour de Georgia in the US this year, so I feel confident to be at least one of the best Chinese riders."
"We are confident the team will do well in the Tour of Qinghai Lake," said Team Manager Gudo Kramer. "There are fast guys on our team for the sprints and climbers that can do well in the mountains."
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