The Tour of Shanghai·New Cities 2025 cycling race officially got underway with a launch ceremony at the Shiliupu on the Huangpu River in Shanghai on September 4. Following the ceremony, a parade of cyclists, featuring athletes representing all participating teams, rode along the iconic Bund, marking the start of this newly upgraded International Cycling Union (UCI) 2.2-level event.

This year's competition has attracted 20 top professional cycling teams from 10 countries, including China, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, and Australia, with a total of 118 riders competing. Serbian cyclist Dusan Rajovic, representing UCI ProTeam Team Solution Tech — Vini Fantini, lauded the race's quality and organization.

As a homegrown event, this edition once again highlights Shanghai's "five new cities"—suburban towns in Jiading, Songjiang, Qingpu, Fengxian, and Lin-gang in Pudong New Area. These areas are integral to a strategic development plan aimed at transforming them into independent, self-sufficient urban centers.

The race route is designed to weave through landmark buildings and landscapes, showcasing the new face of Shanghai's urban development and encouraging public enthusiasm for cycling and city exploration.

Peter Tomlinson, the event's chief referee, remarked on Shanghai's iconic status and its rich cycling history, noting the palpable enthusiasm of its residents.

In addition to the main event, amateur races and carnival activities for cycling enthusiasts will be held, offering more opportunities for interaction and engagement. The race will run from Sept 5 to 7 across the five new cities.

Li Junfeng contributed to this story.