Following an on-site inspection and coordination meeting held on 27 May 2026 – led by the Deputy District Mayor of Chongli, key government departments, the Technical Delegate appointed by the Chinese Cycling Association, and the Organising Committee – the following adjustments have been made to the competition routes for the World University Championship Cycling Zhangjiakou 2026. These changes prioritise athlete safety while maintaining the technical quality of the event.
1. Individual Time Trial (ITT) – Route Change
1.1 Original route:
The men’s ITT included a 4 km tunnel section with the U-turn point is right at the exit of the tunnel.
1.2 New route:
Start from the original point at Forlong Four Seasons Town, head west for 500 metres, turn left onto Donghuan Road, continue to Wutong Avenue and make a U-turn.
New route of ITT and
1.3 Men: one-way distance 15 km → total 29.8 km (out-and-back).
1.4 Women: the same course with the turn-around point at approx. 10 km → total 20.6 km.
1.5 Road width: approx. 16 metres; good surface and minimal elevation changes.
1.6 Reasons for change:
(1) The 4 km tunnel in orginal route is poorly lit and presents a significant safety risk (sudden light change, reduced visibility with sunglasses).
(2) The tunnel is narrow, making overtaking or passing by team cars dangerous.
(3) The new road on Donghuan Road is wide, well-lit, and eliminates tunnel-related hazards.
1.7 Start / finish location remains unchanged.
1.8 Racing rule reminder: Athletes must ride strictly on one side of the double yellow line, with the opposite direction used for returning riders.
2. Road Race – Route Change
2.1 Original route (clockwise, 32 km per lap): 6 km uphill → 4 km tunnel → a continuous 15 km downhill with almost no uphill sections.
2.2 New route (counter-clockwise, same 32 km per lap): The same course are used but in the opposite direction, resulting in a profile with shorter downhills.
2.3 Additional start / finish adjustments:
(1) New start: Inside Forlong Four Seasons Town (scenic area with lake and landmark buildings). A neutralised “honour start” of approx. 1 km will be ridden inside the town before joining the open road – improving event exposure and the festival atmosphere.
New finish: Because the original finish line (Forlong main gate) would be at the bottom of a downhill in the counter-clockwise direction, the race will be extended by 1.5 km along the same road. The finish line will be on a wide 4-lane section (approx. 16 m wide), allowing a 10 m finish arch and safe deceleration.
New route of Individual Road Race
2.4 Reason for change:
(1) Safety: The original clockwise route’s 15 km continuous descent is considered a high risk for student athletes.
(2) The counter-clockwise direction provides a safer profile with predominantly uphill or rolling sections.
(3) The new start inside Forlong Four Seasons Town showcases the venue and supports local legacy and sponsor expectations.
3. Other Routes
The route of the mixed team relay time trial (TTT) shares the same course as ITT. No changes are proposed for the MTB cross-country (XCO), cross-country eliminator (XCE), MTB mixed team relay, criterium, or road bike race in athletics field events.
Route of Criterium
Route of XCE
Route of XCO
The Organising Committee remains fully committed to delivering a safe, fair, and memorable championship for all participants. We thank all teams, officials, and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation. The Organising Committee reserves the right of final interpretation.
World University Championship Cycling Zhangjiakou 2026 Organising Committee June 2026
