You Li, a student at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), made history at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda by finishing 24th in the Men's Under-23 Individual Time Trial, setting a new Chinese record for the event. His average speed of 43.6 km/h also earned him the second-highest ranking in Asia. During the race, Li briefly held the provisional lead, taking the "hot seat" and raising the Chinese flag to the top of the live leaderboard.
Li's passion for cycling was inspired by his father. At just 12 years old, he completed a gruelling 27-day, 2,400-kilometer ride along the Yunnan-Xizang Highway. His talent developed through dedicated training, and after enrolling at UNNC, he gained access to professional facilities and support, enabling his transition from amateur rider to national team athlete. In a remarkable "triple jump" within a single year, Li progressed from dominating domestic amateur races to being selected for the national team through the Huaxing Mentech Continental Team's talent program, ultimately earning the chance to compete on the world stage.
Looking ahead, Li aspires to become China's leading climber and cyclist. His next challenge will be the 2025 Tour of Guangxi WorldTour race, where he will compete against the world's best.
Published on 27 September 2025