The 2014 Tour of Beijing has been named as Asia's top cycling event and will now be taking place in more than one location. While part of the tour will undoubtedly take place in Beijing, another portion will take place outside of the capital city's limits.

The Tour of Beijing originally started back in 2011. However, 2014 will be the final year in the contracted agreement between the Beijing Municipal Government and the UCI (cycling's governing body). Local organizers have reported that the event may be continued in the future once the upcoming race ends in the middle of October.

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Despite being potentially at the end of its run, China's newly developed plans for the Tour of Beijing are certain to add an intriguing element to the event.

While they continue to jointly vie for the chance to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, both Beijing and Zhangjiakou will have a chance to host the 2014 Tour of Beijing in the meantime. Now that the highly esteemed cycling tour is entering its final year, the two cities will be collaborating together for the first time.

Local volunteers have expressed their desire for the opportunity to show Zhangjiakou's great potential in hosting future international events - especially with the 2022 Winter Olympics still left undecided. Yet if the new collaboration between Beijing and Zhangjiakou turns out to be a successful endeavor, the two cities will stand an even better chance at winning the coveted co-host positions for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The tour is set to take place this autumn and will include a total amount of 144 cyclists representing eighteen of the highest ranking professional cycling teams in the world. The route will begin on Friday, October 10^th and will end on Tuesday, October 14^th, with the cyclists beginning their race in Chongli and crossing the finish line at Bird's Nest Stadium.

TagsZhangjiakou, 2014 Tour of Beijing, Chongli, Bird's Nest Stadium, 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing Municipal government, Beijing Municipal government