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The International Cycling Union (UCI) Pat Mcquaid said the ongoing Tour of Qinghai Lake has played a major role in promoting cycling as a worldwide sport outside the European countries.

"The top task of the UCI is to make cycling a popular sport around the world and Tour of Qinghai Lake is key for us in achieving this goal," he said. "The Tour is important concerning the development of cycling in Asian countries and also the success of the sport in the world."

Founded in 2002, the tour has grown to become one of Asia's top races along with Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia. The once 2.5 HC tour has been elevated twice by UCI in 2003 (2.3 HC) and 2005 (2.HC), becoming one of the fastest-developing cycling races in the world.

"I was impressed with the improvement the race made over the past four years and the boost of the fans and cycling atmosphere is exactly what we expect," Mcquaid said.

This year's race, which covers 1,344 km and reaches the altitude of 3,880 metres, boasts a record entry of 140 cyclists in 20 teams.

UCI ProTeams Bouygues Telecomm, who also joined the Tour of France this year, and Liquigas are taking part as well as 14 continental teams including Intel-Action from Poland, Relax-Gam from Spain, FRF Couriers-Caravello from Australia, DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed of Great Britain and the China-based Marco Polo team. South Africa, Canada and China also competed with the national teams.

"This is an unique race," said Rik Reinerink from Skil-Shimano Team. "It's a fresh feeling for me to compete outside of Europe. I am happy to see different spectators from what I saw in Germany or the Netherlands and competing in the country with the most bicycles in the world is also special for me."

In addition to the sports value, Ma Peihua, vice governor of the province, said the race contributes a lot to Qinghai in other aspects.

"The race lifts the province to a new level," he said. "It's not only a sports event, but also a window to show Qinghai to the world."

This year, 54 media from home and abroad registered to cover the event and an estimated 1.1 million fans one fifth of the province's population of 5.4 million watched the race live.

According to Ma, tourism income has increased from 1 billion (US$125 million) in 2002 to 2.5 billion presently while the number of visitors is now 6 million, which is triple that of 2002.

(China Daily July 19, 2006)