China’s Qiansen Trophy Races Returns for Its Fifth Year – Full Rider List

The world’s most expensive two-day cyclocross event (arguably) is back for its fifth year, and despite an announcement that it would expand to four C1 races in 2017, returns to China starting on Sunday with the same number of C1 events as 2016, two.

Still, China’s Qiansen Trophy cyclocross races represent a great, typically all-expenses paid trip to China to both hunt UCI cyclocross points and play tourist.

Thijs Al surprised himself with a post-retirement victory in China at the 2014 Qiansen Trophy race. © Cyclocross Magazine

For some, especially European pros and top Americans, it’s a chance to grab a bucket of UCI points without battling a deep field. For others, including a handful of unranked Americans who apply and are invited, it can be their sole UCI race of the season and a trip of a lifetime.

Promoter Yanxing Song and his father host racers in hotels, cover all meals with interesting, varied buffets, entertain them with banquets, libations and sightseeing tours, and cover most or all travel expenses. For the nearly 150 riders and staff, it’s certainly a trip that’s hard to turn down, with or without luggage, personal bikes and kit.

Carl Decker had one of the best rides of the day, using borrowed a borrowed helmet, bike, shorts, and cleats (used his own shoes) to finish 5th. © Cyclocross Magazine

This year, the men’s field has shrunken a bit, while the women’s field has expanded by the same amount. Three of the four defending champions from 2016 are back, with Belgian Rob Peeters skipping the trip, but Emily Kachorek, Marcel Wildhaber and Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado returning.

Qiansen Trophy 2016 Fengtai Changxindian Station Women’s Podium: 1. Ceylin Alvarado (Kleur Op Maat – No Drugs, Netherlands )2. Emily Kachorek (Squid Bikes, USA) 3. Bianca Van den Hoek (Rijwielpaleis Bilthoven-Mtb Licht Verzat, Netherlands)

Courses are typically dry, dusty and bumpy, but that’s not the only challenge. Air pollution represents a true health hazard, with air quality indexes routinely sitting at the Unhealthy levels. Heat and humidity are also typically barriers to an easy race.

Not again: Trebon’s back problems sidelined him again this season, but he’ll be at Nationals in Asheville, doing his best. © Cyclocross Magazine

Scanning the start list, Belgian Joyce Vanderbeken (Stevens – Donen-Vondelmolen CX team) represents the top-ranked women, while Swiss Marcel Wildhaber (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing) is the top ranked male.

This year, a quick count reveals 24 Americans, 11 Australians, 3 Canadians, 2 Brits and 1 Kiwi making the trip.

See the full start lists below.

Live stream info is available here.

Stay tuned for more 2017 Qiansen Trophy Coverage and results.

2017 Qiansen Trophy Racer List - Women - China Cyclocross

2017 Qiansen Trophy Racer List - Men - China Cyclocross