Peter Sagan and Juraj Sagan at the Tour of California in May.
(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
The top three in the Shanghai Criterium
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
The opening press conference was held at the Shanghai Pearl Tower
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Lion dancing in front of the Shanghai Pearl Tower
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Peter Sagan wore his Slovakian national champion jersey after Alejandro Valverde won the world championships in Austria
(Image credit: Christopher Keiser/Sportful)
Former world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) will be without his brother Juraj in the ASO's Shanghai Criterium this weekend. Juraj Sagan was one of three late withdrawals after breaking his foot in training.
Rick Zabel (Katusha-Alpecin) was unable to travel to China after breaking his collarbone in a training crash, while Tanel Kangert (Astana) injured his arm.
The ASO event will still have a star-studded field, with Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) as headliner, although last year's champion Chris Froome will not be in attendance.
Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale), the best young rider in the Tour de France this year, was one of the first to arrive in China for the race. As is tradition, he will wear his white jersey in the Shanghai Criterium.
"I've never been to China, so I'm really excited to race there," Latour said in an ASO press release. "Riding with a Tour jersey makes it even more awesome because it implies extra responsibility."
When Peter Sagan arrived, he found the airport mobbed with fans holding up signs and cheering.
But come race day, all eyes will be on the Chinese riders as well as one of the country's most famous actors, Ethan Ruan, star of The Assassin, who is the race ambassador.
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