Cheng Ji is currently at the Tour Down Under. But the Giant-Alpecin rider will end his career at the end of this season and wants to promote cycling in his country. 

"I’m up for contract this year and I feel that I’m now enjoying my tenth and last season racing as a professional in Europe", the Chinese told Cyclingnews. "I will remain active in cycling for sure but I feel it’s time for me to move on to the other side of the fence and help Chinese cycling to develop. I’d like to give the talented 15 or 16 year-olds a chance to reach the pro level. I’ve always said that there are more talented cyclists than me in China, especially younger ones. I’ve paved the way for them even though I’m not a sprinter, I’m not a climber and I’m not a time triallist but now it’s clear that a Chinese rider can ride the Tour de France."

"Last year I didn’t race the Tour de France but I commentated on it on TV for CCTV and LeTV in a studio in Beijing. CCTV holds the rights for the Tour de France but they don’t show it live every day. Last year they told me they’d do it daily if I accepted to comment on every stage, but I still had a job to do as a pro rider so they broadcast the first two stages that I commented and the few last ones. I was a bit nervous at the beginning but I quickly found myself at ease since the pro peloton is my daily bread."

"It would be nice to conclude my career in China (at the Tour of Hainan)," he concluded.

Ji Cheng started his career with Skil-Shimano in 2007. He has done each grand tour once: 2012 Vuelta a Espana (175th), 2014 Tour de France (164th) and 2015 Giro d'Italia (156th).