The International Road Racing Journey of Taiwanese Riders: The Reality and Dreams of Asian Cyclists on European Soil

Taiwan is one of the most vibrant regions for cycling culture in Asia. World-class brands such as Giant and Merida were born in Taiwan, and the island’s mountainous terrain has nurtured countless outstanding climbers, with the annual Wuling Climb attracting thousands of participants each year. However, how far is the road from amateur enthusiast to UCI professional, from the Tour de Taiwan to the stages of the Grand Tours? What journey have Taiwanese riders taken on the international road racing scene?

The Development Background of Road Racing in Taiwan

The professionalization of road racing in Taiwan came relatively late, with the system being gradually established mainly after the 2000s:

Representative Taiwanese Riders

Feng Chun-Kai

Taiwan’s most high-profile up-and-coming road racer, known for his combined strengths in climbing ability and sprint finishes. He has represented Cycling Team Japan and Asian professional teams in races across Asia and parts of Europe, and is currently one of the Taiwanese riders closest to the top tier of professional cycling.

Cheng Chih-Hsiang

Consistent performer in time trials and long-distance endurance, with extensive experience in Continental races and a regular presence at the Tour de Taiwan.

Other National Team Riders

The Chinese Taipei national team maintains a regular presence at the Asian Championships, Asian Games, and the Asia Tour, with young riders (such as those in the U23 category) continuously accumulating international experience.

The Survival Struggles of Asian Riders in Europe

Asian riders breaking into the European professional scene face the following systemic challenges:

1. Stereotypes About Physical Attributes

European teams have long overlooked Asian riders during recruitment, citing “smaller builds and insufficient anaerobic power.” This bias is gradually eroding—the sustained breakthroughs of Japanese riders (Yukiya Arashiro and Fumiyuki Beppu competing in the Grand Tours) have proven that Asian physiques hold an advantage in climbing.

2. Language and Cultural Barriers

Technical discussions, media communication, and team meetings in European professional racing are predominantly conducted in English, French, Italian, or Dutch. Asian riders with limited language skills face restrictions in team integration and career development.

3. Insufficient Race Exposure Opportunities

If you only compete in Asian Continental races (2.1 and 2.2 level), European teams will hardly notice you. To enter the radar of WorldTeams, you need standout results in ProSeries or WorldTour events, which requires first joining a European ProTeam or Continental Team.

4. Financial and Support Structures

Taiwan’s professional team ecosystem is weak, with government support for road cycling focused mainly on venues and hosting international events rather than overseas training for riders. Compared to the systematic youth development systems in France and Italy, Taiwan lacks a bridging mechanism.

The Path to Breakthrough: Feasible Strategies for Asian Riders

Despite the many difficulties, there are still several viable paths to a breakthrough:

1. Join Japanese or Korean professional teams: These teams have more opportunities to compete in European races, and there are successful precedents (the European development path of Japanese riders)
2. Participate in European teams’ Asian talent scouting: Some ProTeams have strategic plans for the Asian market and deliberately cultivate Asian riders
3. Set impressive results in Continental races like the Tour de Taiwan: Stand out in UCI 2.1 level events to attract wildcard invitations
4. Make international connections through an agent: Just like in football, the cycling world also has professional agents who help riders find European teams

The Successful Precedents of Japanese Riders

These precedents tell Taiwanese riders: the Asian physique is not an obstacle—the key lies in institutionalized early training and the timing of entering the European professional system.

Taiwan’s Next Steps

For Taiwan to achieve a breakthrough in international road racing, several structural changes are needed:

• Establish at least one official professional team competing in UCI ProSeries events
• Create a European training program for U23 riders (such as sending outstanding riders to Espoir teams in France or Italy)
• Partner with local brands like Giant and Merida to build a corporate-sponsored professional team ecosystem

Conclusion

Taiwan’s cycling scene boasts world-class hardware (brands, terrain, infrastructure), but there remains significant room for development in the pathway for cultivating professional riders. Every Taiwanese rider fighting alone on European soil is a pioneer of this dream. Their very presence is the most powerful inspiration for the next generation.

Related Reading

• Taiwan’s Cycling Stars: Breakthroughs and Achievements of Taiwanese Riders in International Events
• Stories of Outstanding Taiwanese Cyclists: Taiwanese Riders on the International Stage
• Map of Asian Cycling Events: International Competition Opportunities for Taiwanese Riders
• The Latest on Taiwanese Cyclists in International Racing: Feng Chun-Kai, Huang Ting-Ying, and the Challenges of the New Generation