After participating the last two years 2014 and 2015, this will be the 3rd time in a row that Team Stradalli – BIKE AID receives invitation to this race. And in 2016 it will be a very special edition as it is the 15th anniversary of the tour. To be invited again to this race means really a lot to the team as the Tour of Qinghai Lake is the most important race in Asia and ranked with HC category in the calendar of UCI (highest category under World Tour). And it will be again the opportunity to race side by side with big teams such as Lampre – Merida (WorldTour) at the same time like Tour de France in July.
“The whole schedule and planning of the season is targeted to this race. We have been able to show good performances in the past two years with many Top – 10 results, but this year we want to achieve the next level and be focused on this race”, Florent Horeau – the responsible sporting director – explains. Especially with the new rider from Rwanda Jean-Bosco Nsengimana team Stradalli – BIKE AID want to play an important role in the general classification of the race. To achieve this goal it is necessary to be perfectly organized and to have a square schedule for every rider to be in top-shape at this time. Another goal will be to fight with Meron Teshome from Eritrea for stage-wins: “Meron already proofed lot of times that he is a fast sprinter and especially this year he already bet one of his biggest competitiors couple of times in the sprint. That gives us confident and let us hope to play also a good role in the daily sprints”, Horeau explained further targets.
But not only in terms of sport the Tour of Qinghai Lake will be a highlight of the season. The race is well-known for its unique location on altitude and given the fact that the stages will play at altitudes between 2.400m and 3.800m this will be a very special challenge for body and also mind of each and every rider. Nevertheless the riders will be rewarded for their agonies with breath-taking views and landscapes at the top of this unique scenery that is quite impossible to find the right words for.
Also in terms of media the Tour of Qinghai Lake is a real eye-catcher! Every stage will be live broadcasted in the Chinese TV channel CCTV 5 and ensuring huge media coverage as well as the reports in the countless daily newspapers. A peak of about 2 million spectators per day on the race roads well-rounding this awesome event and makes it to a unique platform for riders, teams and also the sponsors to present to the Chinese and Asian markets!
We hope that we will be also able to bring you again breath-taking pictures and stories from the Tour of Qinghai Lake also in 2016!
