XINING, China, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 Tour of Qinghai Lake will kick off on Sunday with 217 riders vying for a jackpot of half a million US dollar.

The 3,670 km race starts from Ledu, a historic city 95 km east of Xining, and will finish in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, on August 4.

A total of 217 riders across 22 teams will participate in the 13-stage race which offers a total prize money of 500,000 US dollar.

"This year's race will be a true test of the riders' stage-racing credentials," said UCI president David Lappartient.

"Their stamina will come under scrutiny over two very long stages of 235 km and 237 km. Their hill climbing prowess will be under the microscope in a dynamic stage 6 Qilian mountain climbing race; covering just 66 km this stage climbs to over 4,100 meters - literally breath-taking!" he said.