BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai will host the 2009 women's international road cycling from April 17-21, which was sanctioned by the International Cycling Union as the sole women's road cycling race in Asia.

    The five-day race will cover some 400 kilometers, the first in China as well as in Asia, organizers said.

    Nearly one hundred cyclists from 12 countries and regions will feature in the race, including those from Australia, Britain, Chinese Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Vietnam and hosts China.