The Champion System Pro Cycling Team has received invitations to both the Tours of Qatar and Oman, which take place between February third and eighth, and 11th and 16th respectively. The Chinese-registered outfit is the only Professional Continental team in Asia and, according to general manager Ed Beamon, its invitation is important for the development of cycling in the continent.
"Starting the season with an important ASO [Amaury Sport Organisation, the owner of the Tour de France - ed] event is a great goal for the team, so of course we are very happy to receive these invitations,” Beamon said. “We appreciate the commitment Eddy Merckx and the race organisation are making to Asian cycling. This is a great opportunity for our Asian guys to race against some of the best riders and best teams in the world.”
The team’s line up for the two races will mostly consist of Asian riders, with Chinese champion Gang Xu, South Korean champion Chan Jae Jang, former Malaysian champion Adiq Othman, former Taiwanese champion Kia Feng, along with Chinese Qatar and Oman veteran Pengda Jiao.
"We will see how it goes,” said Jiao. “We have some new teammates on board this year. Racing with them in these two races is a great opportunity for the team to blend together as well. I am very glad that we got the invitation to attend. It is recognition for the team to be invited again this year and it offers us Asian riders opportunities to compete with some of the best riders in the world. And I believe we will have good performances this year."
Along with the Asian riders, three of the teams Europeans will ride both races, in the shape of existing team member Matthias Friedemann, and new signings Dutchman Bobbie Traksel and Irish champion Matt Brammeier.
“Three of our most experienced European-based riders will help us guide our predominately Asian roster,” said Beamon. “We'll be hunting stages in Qatar and looking for strong GC performances in Oman.”
Champion System Pro Cycling Team for the Tour of Qatar (Feb 3-8)
Gang Xu, Chan Jae Jang, Adiq Othman, Chun Kia Feng, Pengda Jiao, Matthew Brammeier, Bobbie Traksel and Matthias Friedemann
Champion System Pro Cycling Team for the Tour of Oman (Feb 11-16)
Gang Xu, Chan Jae Jang, Adiq Othman, Chun Kia Feng, Pengda Jiao, Matthew Brammeier, Bobbie Traksel and Matthias Friedemann