The Tour of Hainan 2024, an international cycling event, kicked off on Tuesday with great fanfare.

The race features a challenging route of five stages covering 810.5 kilometers, starting in Qionghai city and culminating in the coastal city of Sanya. The course winds through 11 cities and counties, showcasing the tropical landscapes of Hainan province.

Nearly 150 cyclists from 32 countries and regions have converged in Hainan to compete in the five-day event.

The Tour of Hainan is not just a cycling competition, but it is a platform for international exchange and cooperation in road cycling, the organizing committee said, adding it promotes the integration of sports and tourism in the island province, attracting attention from cyclists worldwide.

In a new development for this year, the Tour of Hainan has introduced an amateur division, allowing cyclists of all levels to experience the thrill of riding on the same roads as the professional athletes.