There were not only many local TV-Stations and newspapers reporting from Birkebeinerrittet China in Yakeshi, here are some news reports from CCTV-9 and CCTV-5 plus a great article about the race in the Norwegian "Fitness Magazine". Also check out some of the great pictures below!

If you find a picture of yourself below and want us to send it to you in full size, please send an email to ellinor.axner@nordicways.com and write the number of the picture you want.

Sports Scene CCTV-9, Saturday 9/12

 http://english.cctv.com/program/sportsscene/20090913/100054.shtml

CCTV-5 Sunday Evening Sports News at 18:00

http://sports.cctv.com/20090913/104490.shtml?column=C22536

Article in "Fitness Magazine" Norway (in Norwegian)

http://www.treningsmagasinet.no/wip4/suksess-birkebeinerrittet-kina/d.epl?id=441134

Morning- bikers getting ready

Radek Tuma, consistent supporter of Nordic Ways events, here interviewed by fellow biker - and CCTV reporter- Amy Bainbridge

Many eager participants came from Daqing Giant Club

Steffen and Ute Graf came from Shanghai to be in their last race in China for some time. Steffen who had been to Genghis Khan MTB Adventure earlier this year took his wife with him for the first Birkebeinerrittet in China. Ute who had not expected to go for a medal actually came second in the 25km race and got to stand on the price podium.

The opening ceremony ended in a colorful cloud of fireworks

Yakeshi Train Station

Feng Kuanjie

Womens 25km

Oldest participant in the race, Fu Zhenchang 65. Mr Fu also had his birthday on Sep 12th

Jennifer Hillman from Canada got to wear the yellow jersey...

Winner Terje Amundsen with the 10,000 RMB price check

Norwegian Olav Nedrelid from Beijing Peloton came over to Yakeshi

Fredrik Persson, a cross country ski athlete normally took a mountain bike ride in Birkebeinerrittet China. Sitting next is with the lunch of fried rice is Morten Nergård from the Norwegian Birkebeinerrittet.  

Evgeniya Kalyuzhina came with some friends from Russia. Three if them took podium places in the race. Evgeniya finished 6th in the Womens 50km.

Erik Unaas and Norwegian Minister at the embassy, Mr Kjell Tormod Pettersen crosses the finish line together. This race is a good way to further promote China-Norway relations. 

Nordic Ways Emil Unaas together with father Erik who came over to China for the race

Happy participants from the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing

Nordic Ways track specialists Emil Unaas and Jaroslaw Kacmarcik marks the track the day before the race