MARCO POLO CYCLING FOUNDATION: 20/4/2006
Support riders in exotic countries in new perspective MARCO POLO PRO CYCLING TEAM: Training Camp in China Marco Polo line up for Tour of Chongming Island China Chinese Champion to Europe!

*Support riders in exotic countries in new perspective*
The positive developments in our support projects for riders in countries as Sri Lanka, Eritrea, Mongolia and Ethiopia motivated us to give full support to a proposal for a specific structural approach. Good observers can see that we make step by step progress in fulfilling our mission to help riders or their organizations in parts of the world where cycling meets many handicaps. Shortness in facilities, material, knowledge and limitations in participating in competitions are the main and important bottlenecks.
Marco Polo tries since five years to reduce the gap between those countries and the better equipped ones. The motivation, enthusiasm and creativity of Marco Polo members and supporters enabled us to be helpful. Now we see that the moment is there to work in a more structured way.
We decided to establish the Marco Polo Cycling Foundation. Our development oriented projects and the fundraising activities will be the main elements. The Foundation has a strong link with Marco Polo Cycling organization. In this way we respect the original mission and identity, simultaneously we see in the new concept transparency and more effectiveness.
The Board is manned by well known people in the Marco Polo Cycling organization: Gudo Kramer, Rob Conijn, Peter Winnen and Frans van Slagmaat (president). There is one vacancy still, within a few weeks we present the last member. The Board will be assisted by Miss Leonie Sloot. A Committee for Advice is also an important part of Marco Polo Cycling Foundation. We are very proud to present a list of very enthusiastic people who are willing to support us with their expertise and their qualities: Bettine Vriesekoop, top player table tennis, Asia expert, Herman Wijffels, ex president Rabobank, now World Bank, Frank van den Wall Bake, top expert sport communication and marketing, Prof. Marc van den Bossche, philosopher University of Brussels, Peter Knoop, USA, vice president bank, amateur cyclist. With the Dutch Cycling Federation (KNWU) we agreed a partnership.
The next step in our plan 2006 is the continuation in May of the project “Lifting up cycling in Ethiopia”. Peter Winnen and Frans van Slagmaat prepare the second training session for elite riders and their coaches.
Invitation
If you appreciate our new formula and if you like to contribute in one or another way to its success, please contact us. You are very welcome. You can mail to Miss Leonie Sloot: l.sloot@hsv.nl

MARCO POLO PRO CYCLING TEAM
*Training camp in China*
As important preparation for the mid year season the Marco Polo Cycling Team started with a training camp in Wukang, China about 200 km from Shanghai. This camp was specially for preparation of the Chinese riders: Fuyu Li (Chinese Champion!), Yutong (from Beijing) , Xue Ming Xing & Xin Yan Dong (both from the cold Harbin/ near Mongolia) and Jen Chun (from Shanghai) plus Ulzii-Orshikh Jamsran from Mongolia, Sergei Kudentsov from Russia, Chi Yin Leung from Hong Kong and Rhys Pollock from Australia. Although bad weather circumstances in their home cities most of the riders managed to arrive very fit at the training camp and the days were used for some very long training days plus some shorter training days with interval/ sprint exercises. The training camp was great supported by Todd McKean (General Manager Trek China) and Kai Cui from Trek Bikes

*Marco Polo line up for Tour of Chongming Island China*
Marco Polo has announced its riders election for the upcoming Tour of Chongming Island China The Chinese squad will line up the following riders: Fuyu Li, Yu Tong (both China), Chi Yin Leung (Hong Kong) ** Ulzii-Orshikh Jamsran (Mongolia), Rhys Pollock (Australia) and last but not least top sprinter Sergei Kudentsov (Russia) The Tour of Chingming Island is a race on the 3rd biggest island in China near Shanghai over five stages and a total race distance of 800 km. The event is on the UCI Asian Tour calendar class 2.2.

*Chinese Champion to Europe!*
After Tour of Chingming Island Chinese Champion Fuyu Li will come to Europe! Together with several teammates he will compete in the strongest competition in the world. The European racing program is one of the key elements to make the Chinese and Asian riders stringer and give them more international experience. One of the first races they will compete are the Tour of Overijssel and the Tour of Kempen in The Netherlands!