Described as the most beautiful scenic route in Asia by the magazine, the 105-kilometer KOM starts at Qixingtan in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, before winding through Taroko Gorge to Dayuling. It reaches a maximum incline of 27 percent en route to the finish 3,275 meters above sea level in Wuling on Hehuan Mountain.
According to the monthly publication, KOM’s dizzying altitudes could prove challenging for unaccustomed European cyclists, but any discomfort is more than offset by the beauty of the scenery.
Peddling across the finish line is akin to arriving in heaven. At that stage, the breathlessness, fatigue and cool temperatures are overshadowed by the sheer joy of completing this monster challenge, the magazine added.
Among the entries on the list, France dominates with 34 while the rest of Europe and North America share 14. Asia and Africa picked up one apiece.
Taipei Representative Office in France said Le Cycle Editor Yves Blanc is planning to visit Taiwan and compete in next month’s KOM. In its January issue, the magazine listed the challenge as one of the 10 most difficult cycling races in the world. (SSC-JSM)
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