The 2024 Gree-Tour of Guangxi World Tour race officially announced its return during a September 10th press conference in Nanning, setting the stage for the UCI World Tour’s return to China from October 15-20. The announcement featured appearances by key organizers and a video message from UCI President David Lappartient expressing anticipation for the event’s fifth edition.
Completely Redesigned Route Increases Challenge
This year’s race introduces a significantly revamped course that promises heightened competition. The men’s World Tour event will span six days across six Guangxi cities—Fangchenggang, Chongzuo, Baise, Hechi, Laibin, and Nanning—covering 1,021.8 kilometers through varied terrain including flat circuits, rolling hills, and summit finishes.
“We’ve truly realized the concept of touring Guangxi with this new route,” explained Wei He, Deputy Director of Guangxi Sports Bureau. “The refreshed course showcases southwestern Guangxi’s stunning landscapes, border culture, revolutionary heritage, and ethnic characteristics.”
Lu Xuejie, Director of the Major Events Project Coordination Office, emphasized the competitive implications: “By reducing flat sections and adding more mountainous terrain, we’re creating opportunities for climbers and making the overall classification battle more unpredictable and exciting for fans.”
Elite Field Features World’s Best
The men’s race will assemble 19 elite teams, including all 16 UCI WorldTeams and three ProTeams. The start list features the current world’s top three squads—UAE Team Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike, and Soudal Quick-Step—alongside the Chinese National Team, which returns after making its series debut in 2023.
Last year’s edition saw Chinese riders achieve landmark results, with Ma Binyan securing an eighth-place stage finish—the best ever for a Chinese rider at World Tour level—and Su Haoyu claiming the combativity award.
The women’s World Tour race on October 20th in Nanning will feature 18 top international teams, including Chinese squads China Liv Pro Cycling and Li-Ning Star Women’s Team alongside the Chinese National Team.
Four Jerseys Up for Grabs
The race will feature the traditional four leader jerseys, each with distinct sponsorship: the red Gree jersey for the overall classification, white Li-Ning jersey for best young rider, polka-dot Watsons jersey for mountains classification, and blue Wanda Hotels & Resorts jersey for points classification
Expanding Beyond Elite Competition
Now in its fifth year, the event continues to evolve from a purely professional race into a broader cycling festival. Organizers have planned extensive public engagement activities including online challenges, club rides, rider meet-and-greets, and exhibitions.
A notable addition is the “Wotuo Challenge” on October 20th, where 2,000 amateur cyclists will ride the exact same Nanning city circuit as the professionals—marking the first time the World Tour course has been opened to public participation. Participants will experience full professional race conditions and even get opportunities to interact with World Tour stars.
Gree Electronics Marketing Director Zhu Lei highlighted the partnership’s significance: “Cycling aligns perfectly with Gree’s focus on environmental protection, health, and quality. The spirit of innovation and pushing limits connects directly with what this sport represents.”
The 2024 Tour of Guangxi begins October 15th in Fangchenggang, concluding October 20th in Nanning where both the men’s and women’s champions will be crowned, bringing world-class cycling back to China’s sporting landscape.
