Chinese motorcyclist Cao Lu at a ceremony on Saturday in Nanjing to kick off his participation in the 2008 Dakar Rally next month. [Photo: cnsphoto]

Motorcyclist Cao Lu will be the first Chinese rider to race in the 2008 Dakar Rally next month.

The 31-year-old held a ceremony on Saturday in Nanjing to kick off his participation in the world's toughest cross-country motorcycle race.

Cao has won several national off-road races in the past few years, according to Yangtse Evening News.

At the ceremony, Cao said he has been preparing for eight years to participate in a top world racing event. He trained in the desert of northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the first half of the year. In September, he trained in southern France where the geographic conditions are similar to those of the Dakar Rally.

Although Cao hurt his left leg at a recent training event, he said the injury would not interrupt his schedule.

Cao will stay in China for another two weeks before he sets off. A 26-member international team, including a mechanic, navigator, coordinator, press officer and psychologist will provide full backup support for him during the Dakar race.

The 2008 Dakar Rally begins on January 5 in Lisbon and ends on January 20 in Dakar, Senegal. Its route spans 9,273 kilometers through seven countries and areas.