Chen Lipeng dominates Along Gaoligong, Zhang Tingting outsprints Zhang Hao

Along Gaoligong, the second stage of the Granfondo Tengchong Festival is one of China’s toughest mass participation cycling races. A 170km challenge with long sections of continuous up & down, often over rough road surfaces and with countless corners. A technical challenge for the well-trained cyclist, both physically and mentally. Lose your concentration and you might hit the deck. The course was an amended version of the one used in the 2018 and 2019 Granfondo Yunnan, so those who had been there knew what they were getting into. It was perhaps no surprise that the early pace after the 7:30 am was modest. A group of fifteen riders took off on the first steep ‘flemish style climb of the day after 15km. Yellow jersey Liu Yaoguang, yesterday’s race winner, was trying some breakaway moves with Artsion Rusanenka, but it was Beijing’s Chen Lipeng who first opened a genuine gap. What appeared like a suicide move, turned out to be an underestimation of his talent in riding solo as a triathlete. Nobody would see Chen Lipeng again. He crossed the finish line in 5h00’47”, almost ten minutes ahead of Wu Bao Chao, wo himself got away from a quartet of riders: Gong Baimo, Wang Yu, Wang Wen and Artsiom Rusanenka. Chen Lipeng also took the overall victory of the Tengchong Cycling Challenge. Liu Yaoguang did not finish after sustaining a puncture.

In a clear sign that China’s female cycling level has risen considerably in the past few years, Zhang Tingting and yellow jersey Zhang Hao had a very tight sprint to the line for the prestigious race victory, just 45 minutes behind the male winner. Tingting took it by less than half a wheel! Zhang Yao was nevertheless the overall winner. Third place again went to celebrity rider Li Si, just six minutes later. Wang Yue and Li Xiongpan completed the top five.