Hong Kong counting on notching up valuable Olympic qualifying points as clock ticks down to Rio
Bauhinia riders face tough top-class field of cyclists on Tour of Chongming Island this weekend, which is a UCI Women’s World Tour event
Hong Kong will be banking on one of the last few chances for realising their Olympic qualifying hopes during the Tour of Chongming Island starting in Shanghai this weekend.
The Chongming event, which will be held over three days, is part of the UCI Women’s World Tour and the China leg of the series is the only stop in Asia.
We have been in Kunming for altitude training after returning from the Tour of Thailand to strengthen our preparations, but still it will be difficult for our riders
With Yang Xianyu back in the world’s top 100 following her victory in the Tour of Thailand in April, Hong Kong has revitalised their qualifying hopes for the Rio Games despite the injury to top rider Meng Zhoujuan in the practise session leading to the Asian Championships in January.
Coach Shen Jinkang, however, said Yang and her fellow Hong Kong teammates such as Pang Yao, Diao Xiaojuan, Leung Po-yee would have to deliver their best performance against the world’s top riders if they are to achieve a stage win or a podium finish in the general classification.
Yang, Pang, Diao and Leung will be represent Hong Kong during the tour.
Despite her injury, Meng will be riding for Chongming Liv-Champion-System, a China based professional team.