The opening ceremony of the second Hunan Province "Rex Cup" Ningxiang-Wulingyuan Cycling Challenge
Since the second Hunan Province "Rex" Cup Changsha Ningxiang-Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan 300-kilometer non-stop bicycle riding challenge was released to the world, the number of applicants has exceeded the scheduled 500 people. In line with the considerations of event safety and event logistics, the organizing committee has stopped the registration deadline originally scheduled for April 15 from April 8.
The final total number of applicants was 781, including 633 in the men's group and 148 in the women's group. The oldest challenge driver was 66 years old and the youngest challenge driver was 16 years old. Riders from Taiwan and Malaysia also signed up to participate in this challenge.
On the afternoon of April 21st, the Ningxiang County Sports Center Square in Changsha City had colorful flags flying and crowds of people. At 17:30, the opening ceremony started amidst the cheers of all participating drivers. Li Ping, Vice Chairman of the Changsha CPPCC and Director of the Municipal Sports Bureau, Pan Shaoqin, Director of the Industry Office of the Hunan Provincial Sports Bureau and Secretary-General of the Provincial Motorsports Association, Yang Yumao, Party Secretary and Director of the Zhangjiajie Municipal Culture, Sports, Radio, Television, Press and Publication Bureau, Wulingyuan District People’s Government Deputy District Mayor Li Hong, Deputy Mayor of Ningxiang County People's Government Zhong Liren, Director of the Group Division of Changsha Sports Bureau Yin Jianjun, Secretary-General of Zhangjiajie Sports Federation Xu Fei, Chairman of Zhangjiajie Cycling Association Peng Shuangquan and other leaders and guests attended the opening ceremony.
At 5 a.m. on the 22nd, the competition started on time at the Ningxiang County Sports Center Square. More than 700 cycling challengers marched along National Highway 319 towards the end point of Wulingyuan, the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie City. The track is 308 kilometers long and the challenge time limit is 20 hours. There are six sign-in and supply points throughout the process.
After an hour and a half, the athletes riding in the first group had arrived at the first supply point located 50 kilometers away in Yiyang. It was dawn and the scenery along the way was beautiful. The athletes were not afraid of hardships and continued to ride hard in the morning sun. After passing the 150-kilometer supply point in Changde, Qin Anzhou, a local challenge rider from the Locomotive Club of the Zhangjiajie Cycling Association, broke out of the first group and took the lead. He finally completed the challenge successfully and reached the finish line first in 9 hours and 56 minutes. This was also his second time taking the first place in this event. At 17:49 pm, Xie Jieyu, the women’s challenge driver from Huaihua Merida Changyou Club, arrived at the finish line in 12 hours and 49 minutes. As of the cut-off time, 415 people in the men's group and 42 people in the women's group had finished the race. A total of 457 riders completed the challenge.
At 17:30 on the 22nd, the award ceremony was held at the Zhangjiajie Grand Theater in Wulingyuan. All registered challengers received a free tour of Wulingyuan, the core scenic spot in Zhangjiajie.