Alberto Contador chats with Chinese actress Zhang Jingchu, a cycling enthusiast, during his visit to Aita Shop in Beijing on Friday. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Legendary cyclist Alberto Contador has encouraged China's road cycling enthusiasts to keep riding with passion during his return to the Chinese capital following the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Known as one of the world's most accomplished road cyclists, Contador's appearance at Aita Shop at Beijing's 798 Art District on Friday evening triggered a rousing reaction from bikers, customers and media visiting the workshop, one of Beijing's top-notch sports bicycle retailing, customizing and maintenance outlets.
The Spanish great began his four-day stay in Beijing with the visit to Aita Shop, where he interacted with fans and cycling enthusiasts at the meet-and-greet event, promoted his own bike brand AURUM and shared his understandings on biking as a lifestyle with guests on site.
"Cycling is really a good lifestyle choice for people not just physically as an exercise to keep fit, but also mentally as a escape where people get relaxed and stay away from all the stress in life," Contador said through an interpreter on Friday.
Alberto Contador meets his Chinese fans in Beijing on Friday. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"I hope the Chinese bikers could keep riding, not necessarily pursuing athletic goals but to enjoy themselves and help ease off mental stress."
Renowned Chinese actress Zhang Jingchu, an avid amateur cyclist, was also invited to the event to interact with Contador as a guest.
Citing his experience competing in road cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Contador said Beijing is a city that he enjoys visiting many times.
"Although I only finished at fourth place at the 2008 Summer Olympics, I left Beijing with a pleasant experience. I always have a good impression of the city," said Contador, a 40-year-old Madrid native who retired from pro cycling in 2017.
Spanish cycling legend Alberto Contador addresses media at Aita Shop in Beijing on Friday. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Renowned for his climbing ability and strength in stage racing, Contador amassed two titles from the Giro d'Italia (2008 and 2015), two Tour de France tiles (2007 and 2009) and three wins (2008, 2012 and 2014) at his home tour - the Vuelta a Espana to become one of the most celebrated figure in the sport's history.
He became one of just five riders in history to have won all the three grand tours in 2008 and the fastest among them to achieve the feat using just 14 months.
Since retirement, Contador has been promoting cycling around the world and his own brand AURUM. China, with a growing number of recreational cycling enthusiasts, has emerged a market that he cannot miss.
The Desafío China by La Vuelta, a road cycling race sanctioned by the Spanish tour, provided a perfect platform for Contador to witness the sport's rising popularity in person, when the first edition kicked off on Saturday in north Beijing suburb's Changping district.
Alberto Contador signs his autograph on a bike during a promotional event in Beijing on Friday. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Themed as "Cycling and Encountering", the Desafío China by La Vuelta started on Saturday with three events - circuit race, team time trial and family fun ride, which were open to amateurs.
The circuit race and team time trial involved competitors covering five 5-kilometer laps to race in a total 26.2km route, while the family run ride was only a one-lap 5km race, which required to be completed within one hour.
Contador, as a symbol of the Spanish tour, visited the race camp at the Future Science City Sports Center in Changping to greet fans, sign autographs and promote the tour as an ambassador.
His presence has inspired greater fan following of the race on Chinese social media and raised expectations for the future of the iconic Spanish tour's outreach program in China.
