Shanghai cycling race highlights city's urban and cultural attractions

Behind these individual achievements lies broader industry growth. Official data from the China Bicycle Association show the sector's total output value exceeded 300 billion yuan in 2024, with sports bike sales surging 18 percent year-on-year. Xiong Xin, secretary-general of the China Cycling Association, said by the end of August, over 2,000 public cycling events were held annually in China, with participation exceeding 5 million, nearly a tenfold increase compared to a decade ago.

This dual advancement—industrial and athletic—was evident in the race, with Tomlinson observing, "It's already obvious with the rider registration showing eight or nine Chinese teams, indicating significant development in Chinese cycling. The standard for this race is way beyond a two-point-two level with the entries received."