The 29-year-old Li Fuyu is competing in Xihaizhen at his fifth Tour of Qinghai Lake. This time, the dazzling Discovery Channel team jersey not only gave him a new look but also did a boost in standings.

In the first two stages at this year's Tour of Qinghai Lake starting on July 14th, Li mounted the platform twice with the blue jersey and managed a 15th placing in the total of 139 competitors.

"I believe I have made improvements in all aspects," said Li, who became the first Chinese rider to sign with a UCI (International Cycling Union) professional team at the beginning of this year.

"Now, I can adjust myself to the competition more quickly and be much tougher during the race," said the Shandong native.

Ekimov Viatcheslav, the team manager of Discovery Channel at the race, was even more confident about Li's progress. The 41-year-old Olympic gold medalist believed that the moment Li joined the team, he had made a huge progress.

"It meant that he was able to compete on a much higher level," said the 15-time Tour de France participant, "and he was surely stronger while competing with such a strong team."

Li had taken part in dozens of races with Discovery Channel team and managed to take seven Pro Tour points in the team time trial in Eindhoven, the Netherlands last month, which practically means that he qualifies for the Olympic road race in Beijing next year.

"The team is very strong and we fight as a group," Li repeatedly insisted during the race. But it's still unknown if there is any teammate to assist him at the Olympic Games.

【体坛资讯：Chinese road riders taste acceleration through studying abroad】相关文章：

★ 娱乐资讯： Katie Holmes playdate with her mini-me daughter

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinese-owned Aston Villa sack manager after dismal start in championship

★ 娱乐资讯：Harry Potters Hermione turns to modell

★ 体坛资讯：Henman tops Moya to advance at Wimbledon

★ 体坛英语资讯：Champion stunned but China unbeaten at Magdeburg World Cup

★ 体坛资讯：Bucks more confident after meeting with Yi

★ 娱乐资讯：New heartache for Longoria-Parker fans at Paris wedding

★ 体坛英语资讯：France s shown capability of hosting safe event through Euro 2016: Bach

★ 体坛英语资讯：China beat Bullets in the last of Basketball Series

★ 体坛资讯：Chinese to dominate Thailand Open finals