Belgian wins inaugural France to China solar bike race

The bike is equipped with two solar panels -- one in the front and another on a trailer behind.

Beijing (AFP) - A Belgian cyclist rode 12,000 kilometres (7,500 miles) from the French city of Lyon to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in just 49 days to win an inaugural solar-powered electric bike race aimed at promoting renewable energy.

Raf van Hulle's journey took him through Germany, Ukraine, Russia, then Kazakhstan before riding into China, cycling an average of 270 kilometres daily.