Speed and Passion on Taipei's Ketagalan Boulevard: Full Recap of the Tour de Taiwan Opening Stage

Racing on Ketagalan Boulevard — Legally, That Is

March 15, Taipei City. 177 elite riders from around the world lined up on Ketagalan Boulevard. Behind them stood the stately Presidential Office Building; ahead of them lay an 80.6-kilometer high-speed circuit battle.

This was the first time in Tour de Taiwan history that the race started from Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office Building — and that sight alone was worth the price of admission.

Course Design

• Lap distance: 8.91 km
• Total laps: 9
• Total distance: 80.6 km
• Route: Ketagalan Boulevard → Jingfu Gate → Ren’ai Road → Ren’ai Circle → Return
• Start/finish: 228 Peace Memorial Park

What does a 9-lap circuit race mean? It means spectators can watch the riders pass by the same spot 9 times, feeling the thrill of the peloton flying past at full speed on every single occasion.

The Human Limit at 50 km/h

An average speed of 50.43 km/h — what does that number actually mean?

• You ride a YouBike at roughly 15 km/h
• These riders are going 3.4 times faster than you
• If you’re driving on Ren’ai Road, they might actually overtake you
• All 104 riders who started finished the race — nobody was eliminated on time

Chaos Before the Finish Line

The most dramatic moment of the race came in the final 3 kilometers.

At high speed, multiple riders hit traffic cones on the course, triggering a chain-reaction crash. Taiwan team captain Lu Shao-hsuan was unfortunately caught up in it, losing his chance to fight for a strong result; 40-year-old veteran Hung Kun-hung also suffered minor injuries.

However, under UCI regulations, riders affected by a crash within the final 3 kilometers receive the same time as the main peloton. This rule prevents unfair time gaps caused by accidents.

A Surprise from Taiwan’s Young Talent

Chang Yu-cheng, originally cast in a support role, stepped up to carry the banner for Team Chinese Taipei after captain Lu Shao-hsuan was impacted by the crash. He ultimately finished 18th, ranking 5th among Asian riders — a stellar result on his scorecard.

At just 21 years old, this was his first Tour de Taiwan. The future looks bright!

Off-Track Highlights

On race day, a “Citizen Cycling Carnival” was held simultaneously, featuring Push Bike and BMX events. Watching kids ride their balance bikes on the course, contrasted with professional riders blasting through at 50 km/h — that adorable contrast was simply too cute.

Takeaways from the Opening Stage

The results of the Taipei stage set the tone for the entire Tour de Taiwan:

• Sprinters rule: Rajovic proved he has the fastest legs of this edition
• WorldTour team presence: Lotto-Intermarche didn’t take the stage win, but their control of the peloton was first-class
• Taiwanese riders need more opportunities: But Chang Yu-cheng’s performance gives reason for hope

Related Reading

• Imagine Being a Tour de Taiwan Rider: What Would Happen If You Got on the Course?
• The View at 50 km/h: Where Should You Stand as a Tour de Taiwan Spectator?
• If You Want to Tackle the Tour de Taiwan Route Yourself: A Five-Day Cycling Trip Planning Guide
• Tour de Taiwan Data Nerd: 635 Kilometers Told Through Numbers