A photo shows cyclists racing forward in Lhasa, Tibet, on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 300 cyclists from around the country took part in a cycling race in Lhasa on Saturday, passing historical sites and viewing scenery along the route.

Participants were divided into three groups: Men's 72.3-km Elite Road Race, Men's Mountain Bike Race (72.3-km), and Women's Mountain Bike Race (72.3-km).

The overall road surface for the race was flat and smooth, but curves varied from narrow to wide. The cyclists were challenged by the changing weather of the Tibetan Plateau, with its high altitude, strong sun and major temperature swings.

After fierce competition, Hou Dongyi, Hu Zhichao and Sun Xiaolong won the top three places in the Men's Elite Road Race, while Sonam, Dondrub Tsering and Shentu Hongji won the top three places in the regional division group of the race.

A photo shows cyclists exiting a tunnel in Lhasa, Tibet, on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Local cyclists performed well in Men's Mountain Bike Race, with Tadon, Gyaltsan Norbu and Konchok Lodre winning champion, runner-up and the third place, respectively.

The event, jointly sponsored by the China Bicycle Association, the Lhasa city government, the Tibet Sports Bureau and the Lhasa City Sports Bureau, gives momentum to Lhasa's sports development.

With an average altitude of 3,650 meters, Lhasa is known for the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple, both of which are on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list.

By Palden Nyima and Daqiong in Lhasa