On the evening of October 4, a ceremony to mark the commencement of the 14th Tour of Hainan International Road Cycling Race was held in Boao Town, Qionghai, a city in southern China's Hainan Province. The race route, which covers 781.1 km over five days from October 5 to October 9, takes in eleven cities and counties of Hainan. 140 participants across 20 top-level teams from China and around the world are vying for a share of this year's US$300,000 prize pot.

The opening ceremony saw the national road-cycling teams of China and Mongolia, as well as four UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) ProTeams and 14 UCI Continental Teams take to the stage.

China's national road-cycling team on stage at the 14th Tour of Hainan opening ceremony. (Photo provided by the Tour of Hainan organizing committee) 

The Hainan Wuzhishan 1867 UCI continental team at the opening ceremony of the 14th Tour of Hainan. (Photo provided by the Tour of Hainan organizing committee)

The Tianyoude Hotel UCI continental team on stage at the opening ceremony of the 14th Tour of Hainan. (Photo provided by the Tour of Hainan organizing committee)

The Italian team on stage at the opening ceremony of the 14th Tour of Hainan. (Photo provided by the Tour of Hainan organizing committee)

At the ceremony, Chen Tiejun, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, said that this year's race had been rendered more dynamic and challenging with the inclusion of five category 1 climbs. The 2023 race route incorporates the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway and winds through the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, as well as various towns and villages, enabling Hainan to showcase its achievements in free trade port construction to global audiences. Companion events, such as the Hainan Cycling League Tournament, will be held alongside the race, offering amateur cyclists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the competitive atmosphere and boosting the popularity of cycling among the local populace.

Qionghai, the host city of this year's competition, took the opportunity to show off its local culture to participants at the opening ceremony with vocal and dance performances. This young and charming city, located on the east coast of Hainan Island, is home to the permanent venue of the world-renowned Boao Forum for Asia. It is also a designated national city of excellence for tourism, boasting famed scenic spots like Baishi Ridge with a 1,308-step stairway and glass walkway suspended from its cliff face.