Having successfully finished his first Tour de France, Cheng Ji will be back in the spotlight when he lines up at the Tour of Beijing. The home rider will playing the usual support role in his home race.

Cheng Ji, the first Chinese rider to race the Tour de France, will carry Chinese hopes for Team Giant-Shimano at this year’s Tour of Beijing.
 
Cheng Ji is the first rider announced for the Tour of Beijing’s finale and it will be fitting that China’s most successful international cyclist will be on the start line for the final edition of the Tour of Beijing.
 

Competing for just the second time at his home UCI WorldTour event, having made his debut in 2013, Cheng will close out a season that was highlighted by his history-making ride as the first Chinese to both start and finish the Tour de France. He finished with the lantern rouge awarded to the last place finisher in the event, however his long stints on the front of the bunch and efforts for the team drew wide praise.
 
The Dutch-based Team Giant-Shimano, who will confirm their full line up next week, will come to Beijing with a host of in-form riders for the season-ending event on the UCI WorldTour event.
 
Ji said he was looking forward to his return to Beijing.
 
“My role is still the same as any other big race really and I will be working for the team as we have a strong team for this race. We had a good race last year with Luka [Mezgec] winning a stage and I will support the leaders in trying to repeat this success,” Ji said.
 
"It's really great to race in front of a home crowd like this. Last year the fans were crazy and it was nice to see the level of support. I think it will be the same this year. It is the only WorldTour race in China and I am pleased that I can race at the highest level in my own country."
 
Team Giant-Shimano coach Lionel Marie said: "After the impact that Cheng had at the Tour de France he has been a lot busier with the media and it will be the same again in Beijing. It is new for him but he copes well with it and the attention he receives is good for both the team and the sport in China.”
 
"We will come to the race with a team to challenge for both the sprints and the overall GC at this race. It is a WorldTour race and will have a strong field but we will once again look to finish our season on a strong note here in China," Marie said.