Adrenalin pumped and pulses raced as the 2019 Tour of Taiyuan, an international road cycling race, started at Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on May 26. 

The cycling competition takes place in six cities from the north to south of Shanxi province between May 26 and 31.

The race is divided into six sections and extends 730 kilometers: namely the Taiyuan stage, the Great Wall section in Datong city, the Mount Wutai part in Xinzhou city, the Taihang Mountain stage in Changzhi city, the Yellow River section in Yuncheng city and Ancient City of Pingyao part in Jinzhong city. 

A total of 20 teams from 12 countries and regions including Italy, Spain, Singapore and Mexico, are fighting it out in this year's competition. 

Organizers said the first stage on May 26 in Taiyuan was the most difficult part of the longest distance event, given an often torturous mountain path extending over four peaks that will test athletes' physical strength to the max. 

Hosted by the Chinese Cycling Association and the  Shanxi Sport Bureau and Taiyuan government, the 2019 Tour of Taiyuan is one of five international brand bicycle events in China.

Riders ready themselves for an explosive start to the 2019 Tour of Taiyuan, an international road cycling race in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on May 26. The total length of the Taiyuan stage of the race is 199 km. [Photo/Xinhua]

Riders pump their pedals hard at the starting line of the 2019 Tour of Taiyuan in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on May 26. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]