More than 2,000 cycling enthusiasts raced in Beijing's first ever Tour de France-class event on Sunday, as the world's most prestigious cycling tour enters its second year in China after inaugural races in Shanghai and Changsha last year.

L'E?tape Beijing by Le Tour de France, a challenge race for amateur cyclists, got world attention as it was charted along the Yanxi lakeside in suburban Beijing's Huairou District, where APEC leaders met in 2014. Tour de France champion Andy Schleck joined the races, while Taiwan actor Ethan Juan served as ambassador for the China events and kicked off the race.