As a leader in the China Bicycle Association, Coach Han had been notified before the end of the year that he would also be taking on the position of head coach for the National Team's road cycling program.
For him, the pressure of this job was undoubtedly immense.
Not only were the Asian Championships in June fast approaching, but the Asian Games were also scheduled for the end of the year.
The first of these races was especially critical, as it determined whether the country could secure an early qualification spot for the road cycling event at next year's Paris Olympic Games.
To achieve a good result at the Asian Championships, selecting the right team roster was paramount.
This year, the China Bicycle Association had taken the lead, partnering with local governments to organize a national road cycling league. This was partly to capitalize on the growing public enthusiasm for the sport, and partly to accelerate the development of professional cycling in the country.
