Jia Zhichao and Zhang Xixi win in Chengjiang-Yuxi
The 2020 edition of the Colourful Yunnan Granfondo Cycling Festival in Chengjiang has been won by Jia Zhichao and Zhang Xixi. Due to the global covid 19 pandemic the event was understandably reduced to a one-day race of 108 km around the town of Chengjiang in Yuxi, on the north of the majestic Fuxian Lake. The fact that it was just a single day inspired the victory contenders as soon as the green flag went up in the leading car as attacks were launched immediately. It was cold and a bit damp, and the first 20 kilometres had it in them, too, with several steep gradients, some technical descending and a longer hillclimb. Luo Danzhi did his best to break away with a few others and broke up the front of the peloton. But when Jia Zhichao took over and put the hammer down, only Gong Baimo briefly looked like he could match the pace of the talented 27-year-old from Chengdu, who is anything but unknown in our event history. In 2016 Jia Zhichao pulled off an amazing solo of over 70 km to win the Kunming stage. In recent years he was often one of the best rivals uphill of Miga and the Mongolians. Today, though, he went with over 90 km left on the board to the finish!
Clearly, he had super legs today as even in the descent of the first hill he extended the gap to Gong Baimo and the rest: Luo Danzhi, Zhao Chenli and Bai Long. Belarussian Artsiom Rusanenka was slightly further behind and would eventually ride solo himself for nearly the entire race to finish sixth. As the sun came out from the clouds when the riders descended down to Fuxian Lake, Jia Zhichao kept hydrating and eating during his courageous breakaway attempt, and showed no signs of slowing down. At the finish, in fact, he would be over ten minutes ahead of Gong Baimo, who kept the next trio at bay by a minute himself.
In the women’s race, Zhang Xixi had the most pressure from Gao Yanjiao. Riding with a single outer chain ring, Zhang Xixi was delighted to cross the line first with a four-minute gap on Gao Yanjiao. Five minutes later, Li Ziyu held off Li Si for third place. Wang Xing e and Song Hanbing had a nice sprint for fifth place.
The one-day Granfondo Yunnan 2020 in the end turned out to be a great success with happy faces all over. While the 2021 edition of our event shall again be a multiple day stage race, the one-day race in Chengjiang-Yuxi may. remain on our calendar as well! Stay tuned for more news in the near future!
Jia Zhichao had ample time to celebrate his fantastic race win today: more than 10 minutes ahead!
Zhang Xi Xi had a four-minute gap on the second woman in the race
It was foggy and cold, but dry on the first hill climb of the day
