Wanda's next sports frontier: Cycling

The Union Cycliste Internationale and Wanda Sports announced on Thursday a groundbreaking agreement that will develop men's and women's elite and grassroots cycling across various disciplines in China on Thursday.

The agreement includes the creation of the Tour of Guangxi, a new UCI World Tour race, taking the men's professional road cycling peloton to Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, one of China's most popular tourism destinations.

To be held in October, this event will pass through a mix of metropolitan areas and stunning countryside scenery over six days of racing. Starting from 2017, the Tour of Guangxi will run alongside a new women's elite race which has applied for UCI Women's World Tour status as of 2018.

The UCI Cycling Gala, an annual event that rewards the year's greatest achievements in professional road cycling, will take place in the mountain city of Guilin, venue of the Tour of Guangxi's final stage finish.

The first three editions (2017, 2018, 2019) of the brand-new UCI Urban Cycling World Championships will also take place in China at the end of October. Bringing together the best of Mountain Bike Cross-Country Eliminator, Trials and BMX Freestyle Park, the innovative new concept is designed to inspire a whole new generation of urban cycling fans.

UCI President Brian Cookson said: "We are absolutely delighted to announce this partnership with Wanda Sports which will provide a huge boost to cycling in China and I would like to thank Wanda Sports for their support and commitment to our sport. The UCI's main role is to grow and develop cycling globally and China provides us with a wonderful opportunity to engage with literally hundreds of millions more people.”