Five stops, one cycling legend, and a warm welcome. Our tour with Bike+Work showed the passion for Italian cycling in China.
Bringing Italian cycling to China
We embarked on a mission to share what 3T stands for, showcase our vision of cycling, and present the Strada Italia – our Italian-made bike developed with our ambassador, two-time World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Paolo Bettini.
This journey was made possible thanks to Bike+Work, a growing network of concept stores redefining what a bike shop can be. Beyond retail and workshop spaces, Bike+Work locations are designed to build cycling communities, complete with cafés, group rides, and regular events. Their commitment to showcasing the best of European and especially Italian brands – including 3T – is helping to grow a new generation of passionate cyclists across China.
Tianjin (Wuqing) – April 28
The tour kicked off in Wuqing – a warm-up in every sense. Paolo had just landed a few hours earlier and was still feeling the effects of jet lag, but he powered through the event with trademark energy. That’s where we met Shuke, a remarkable character who would later become our ride leader for the rest of the tour. The route along the Langfang river surprised us with its peaceful beauty. At the end, fans lined up for autographs on bottles, jerseys, helmets – even bikes! Paolo also picked up his first Chinese word: *giegie* (姐姐 – "sister" or "girl").
Langfang – April 30
Even though it was a regular weekday morning (just before China’s Labour Day holidays), more than 20 cyclists joined us for what became the longest ride of the tour – nearly 50 km along a scenic bike path to the Langfang 2024 village. Some sprints broke out just before crossing the bridge on the return leg. A highlight? Experiencing the very Chinese habit of livestreaming everything, including group rides!
Tianjin (Italian Style District) – May 1
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This was the most anticipated stop. The Bike+Work store is located in Tianjin’s Italian Style District, surrounded by landmarks like the Venezia Club, a restaurant run by Italians, the Piccolo Cinema Paradiso, and the headquarters of the Sino-Italian Cultural Association.
The presentation here had one of the highest turnouts, thanks in part to the energy of store manager Jessica. The ride took us down a stunning blue-painted riverside bike path – one of the best of the tour. Bonus moment: local riders stripping off their jerseys mid-ride to show off their muscles, causing much amusement.
Beijing – May 2
Our ride began at the Bike+Work store in Beijing’s Olympic village area, a striking landscape dominated by the former steelworks repurposed for the 2022 Winter Games. The setting sparked memories for Paolo, who, after his Olympic gold in Athens, also raced in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, finishing in the top 10.
The climb that concluded our ride is a well-known hotspot for local cyclists – and that day it became the stage for a memorable moment. Some of the stronger riders tried to test Paolo’s legs with a few spirited attacks… but let’s say the Olympic champion reminded everyone why he’s still “Il Grillo”. At the summit, we were greeted by a crowd of fans who had gathered to meet him. Autographs, photos, handshakes – it was hard to leave.
Shanghai – May 4
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Shanghai wasn’t originally on the schedule, but after the success of the other events, we decided to add one more stop. Despite severe flight delays, we were greeted by a group of people still waiting patiently at the shop. We headed out for a night ride through the city's heart – no lights needed, thanks to Shanghai’s urban glow. Paolo couldn’t ride due to illness but stayed to sign bottles and take photos with everyone.
The next day, he joined us at the Shanghai Cycle Show, where our presence at the Bike+Work booth drew huge crowds. People of all ages queued for over half an hour to get a signed water bottle and a photo with Paolo. At one point, we even needed security to manage the line.
Just the beginning
This first tour in China exceeded all our expectations. We encountered a young, engaged, and passionate cycling community. We felt a deep appreciation for Italian cycling culture – represented by the Strada Italia and the presence of a true champion like Paolo Bettini.
And this was only the beginning. We’ve just scratched the surface of this vast country. We’ll be back – to explore new regions, meet new riders, and bring the 3T vision of cycling even further.
