The Chinese-registered Marco Polo Cycling Team says it's ready for the Tour of Qinghai Lake. After a good run in the Tour of East Java, the biggest Chinese race is the most important race of the season for the team, and its 2.HC ranking makes it one of the most important races of the year in the Asia Tour with a very strong list of participants, including seven UCI Continental Pro teams.
Despite the team's lack of a big victory, its management is happy with the season so far and believes the objective of finishing the season as one of the top three Asian teams is well within reach.
The Marco Polo Cycling Team had a successful season so far, although the big victory didn't happen yet. Through good results in the Asian races, the main objective of the team: top three Asian teams, seems to be well within reach.
At the Tour of Qinghai Lake the team will work to protect climber Michael Carter and give the Chinese riders a chance to compete for the best Chinese rider classification.
Team sponsors Trek Bicycles and Nestle Pure Life have kicked in some extra support for this race, with Trek driving a team car all the way up from Beijing!
Last year's winners Navigators are the big favourites, along with Barloworld, Action and Naturino-Sapore di Mare. There is also a very strong Kazahkstan national team and the Iranians (climber Ghader Mizbani) traditionally do well in the Tour of Qinghai Lake.
The line-up of the Marco Polo Cycling Team for Qinghai Lake will be: Fuyu Li (China); Yu Tong (China); Michael Carter (USA); Ulzii-Orshikh Jamsran (Mongolia); Robin Reid (New Zealand); Rhys Pollock (Australia). Peter Coates will be team director.
