BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Following are the factbox on the cycling road race at the August 8-24 Beijing Olympic Games:

    History

    The cycling road race emerged in the late 19th century and made its Olympic debut for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. On April, 1900, the Union Cycliste Internatioanle (UCI) was founded. In 1903, the Tour de France, the first major and still the most important stage race was first organized. The first road world championships were held in 1927.

    Beijing specifics:

    For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the start area will be in a different place from the finish area.

    Events:

    Men's road race and Women's road race

    Course:

    The mass start road cycling race starts at Yongdingmen Gate, runs through Tian qiao, Temple of Heaven, the Great Hall of the People, Tian'anmen Square, Changpu river park, Imperial Palace Wall Relics Park, Shatan, the Lama temple, Temple of Land, the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Palace, Olympic Sports Center, the Bird's Nest (National Stadium), and the Beijing Olympic Tower, Zhongguancun High-tech District, Peking university, the Yuanmingyuan Park, Ju yongguan Great Wall, Badaling Great wall. The finishing point is located at the Juyongguan Pass, Ming tomb special region of Changping District. The length of the route is 102.6 kimometers with the elevation change of 610.468 meters.

    2004 Athens Olympic Champions

    Men: Paolo Bettini, Italy

    Women: Sara Carrigan, Australia