Feature: Across peaks and pedals - An Austrian's 20 years powering China's outdoor rise

SHENYANG, China, July 18 (Xinhua) -- In July, the Pump Track Qualifier in Weihai, a coastal city in eastern China's Shandong Province, drew crowds of enthusiastic young riders.

Among the busy staff was a European chatting fluently in Chinese. This was Andi Gschwandtl, Head of China Region at Velosolutions, the official global partner of cycling's global governing body UCI. For him, this was not just another race, but a glimpse of a dream gradually taking shape in China.

Born in the Austrian Alps, Gschwandtl grew up skiing and mountain biking. In 2000, driven by curiosity about distant cultures, he arrived in China with just a backpack, and quickly fell in love with the vast landscapes of Yunnan, Sichuan and the Xizang Autonomous Region. Two years later, he returned to Xizang to open a homestay and lead trekking tours for European tourists, becoming one of the first overseas advocates of outdoor adventure in China.

"At that time, outdoor sports were just a hobby of a small circle," Gschwandtl recalled. "Many people didn't understand why we stayed in the mountains for weeks."

It was a time of transition, with change already on the horizon. By 2008, mountain biking had become a fashion trend in big cities. "Mountain bikes suddenly became a trendy item for young urbanites," Gschwandtl said. "But back then, few people rode them in the mountains. They all rode on asphalt roads, and the trend faded within a few years."

A more lasting shift occurred in 2014, when China began preparing its bid to host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Ski resorts across the country sought access to Austria's professional ski coaching system. In response, Gschwandtl helped establish links with the Austrian Ski Instructors Association, introducing structured ski coaching to China, which contributed to the rapid rise of the country's winter sports.

From leading small tourist groups to introducing comprehensive coaching systems to promote ice and snow sports, Gschwandtl feels his work is making a growing impact. "I'm very happy to promote outdoor sports," he said. "I feel very lucky."

As ski resorts flourished, Gschwandtl started thinking about how these venues could stay active during the off-season. The answer came in the form of pump tracks - undulating asphalt loops where riders use body motion rather than pedaling to gain speed. Suitable for wheel-driven sports like roller skating, BMX and mountain biking, pump tracks offer year-round activity in a compact, low-maintenance format.

Later, Gschwandtl brought Velosolutions, a Swiss company known as the global official partner of the UCI and the founder of asphalt pump tracks, into China. Since then, he has dedicated himself to promoting pump track sports nationwide.

In 2018, his team built China's first asphalt pump track in Shenzhen. Since then, they have established dozens of venues across the country. A track under a highway in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, transformed a forgotten corner into a vibrant community hub. A pump track atop a dam in Yantai became a scenic sports destination, and the Shenyang International Pump Track Park, certified by Guinness as the world's largest, draws thousands to what was once an abandoned industrial site.

Pump tracks are also becoming training grounds for athletes. "Interestingly, the Heilongjiang provincial teams for snowboard cross and skiing will train in Shenyang Pump Track Park for one or two months in summer," Gschwandtl said with a smile. "Snowboard athletes use skateboards, and skiers will tie inline skates to their snowshoes to train on the pump track."

In June, Shenyang hosted the China leg of the Pump Track World Championships. 17-year-old Wang Zhihao from Weifang took home the men's elite BMX title, much to Gschwandtl's excitement.

"Talents in BMX and other pump track sports in China are emerging. I hope more young Chinese athletes will appear on the world stage," Gschwandtl said.

Winners of the Weihai qualifier will advance to the World Championships in Switzerland this September. For Gschwandtl, it's not just about competitions but about building a movement.

"China has gone through an amazing development that you see so many people are now getting engaged in professional training," he said. "The pump track has become a part of their lives."

Looking back, Gschwandtl observes a generational shift. "20 years ago, they wanted their kids to play piano or recite Tang poems. Now, young parents who grew up watching extreme sports themselves are encouraging their kids to go outside and try new things."

A month earlier, at the world's largest pump track, the Shenyang International Pump Track Park, Gschwandtl watched a scene that exemplified this change. After the June World Championships leg, the track buzzed with activity as children biked, teenagers performed tricks, and adults enjoyed evening rides under the golden sunset. Gschwandtl leaned on the railing, watching the scene glow.

"You see," he said with a nod, "this isn't just an old industrial zone anymore. It's a vibrant playground for a new generation." Enditem