China is set to host an event on the road cycling WorldTour for the first time.
The Tour of Beijing will be held Oct. 5-9, pending the award of a license, the International Cycling Union said in a statement Thursday.
UCI president Pat McQuaid said the event would advance the governing body's mission to make cycling more global.
"We are all aware that Asia has a huge pool of talent and immense passion for our sport and I am convinced that the whole cycling movement will profit from the very considerable beneficial effects of an event of this size," McQuaid said.
Other stops on UCI's WorldTour already include Oceania's Tour Down Under and the Quebec and Montreal Grand Prix.
Li Yingchuan, director of the Beijing Sports Bureau, said a tour event in China was made possible by the exposure the sport received from the 2008 Olympics.
"The concept of organizing an event such as the Tour of Beijing would probably never have seen the light of day if this country and city had not had the immense privilege of hosting the Olympic Games," Li said.
The agreement between the UCI and the Chinese authorities is initially valid for four years, running through to 2014.
"Cycling in China, in particular, is currently experiencing very impressive development," McQuaid said.
Li said the race could also have important environmental benefits.
"The Tour of Beijing will be a catalyst to getting our citizens out of their cars and back on to their bicycles, the traditional mode of transport in China," McQuaid added.
Team Sky Signs Former World Champion Michael Rogers
By Thomas A. Valentinsen Nov 1, 2010 - 4:43:54 AM
Team Sky earlier today unveiled former World Time Trial Champion Michael Rogers as the team's sixth new signing for the 2011 season.
Team Sky earlier today unveiled Michael Rogers as the team's sixth new signing for the 2011 season.
The 30-year-old, three-time world time trial champion joins Team Sky after?successful seasons with Team HTC-Columbia, Team Quick Step?and Team T-Mobile and brings with him a wealth of stage racing experience as a Grand Tour veteran who has ridden nine Grand Tours.
Team Sky sports director Sean Yates told Roadcycling.com that he is delighted to have Rogers on board for 2011 and feels he can be a great role model for the younger riders on the team.
"Michael is a consummate professional and great addition to the team. He has proven himself in big races right throughout his career and that experience will be an invaluable asset to us," Yates commented and added "He takes his job as a bike rider seriously and the younger guys in the team will be able to learn a lot from him."??
A product of the Australian Institute of Sport, Rogers turned professional with Team Mapei in 2000 and two years later tasted his first major success at the Tour Down Under.
Further victories followed in 2003 at the Tour of Germany, Tour of Belgium and the Route du Sud, before he claimed the first of three consecutive world time trial champion rainbow jerseys in Hamilton, Canada.
After switching to T-Mobile in 2006, Rogers outlined his credentials as a Grand Tour contender with a top 10 finish in the Tour de France, and was in contention for the yellow jersey again in 2007 before sadly fracturing his collarbone on the descent of the Cormet de Roseland.
Numerous podium positions followed in 2008 and 2009, and in 2010 he won the Tour of Andalucia before becoming the first non-American to triumph at the Tour of California.
Michael Rogers is excited to begin this new chapter of his career with Team Sky and has no qualms about taking a central role within the team.
"I like the direction and general outlook of the team and am delighted to be here. Having ridden against them this year it was clear to see the team were learning and improving all the time and I expect that to continue next season," Rogers commented.
Rogers added "I already know a lot of guys in the squad so I'm expecting to settle in pretty quickly and am really looking forward to it. I've been lucky enough to ride with some great riders in the past and have learned a lot from them. If they want me to, I am more than happy to pass some of that experience along and I will do whatever I can to help the team's progression."
Michael Rogers is the fourth Australian to join Team Sky. His move follows the recent moves of Davide Appollonio, Jeremy Hunt, Alex Dowsett, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio.
Michael Rogers has signed with Team Sky for two years with a possible extension after the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
