GFY 2023 starts with a bang in Chengjiang

Granfondo Yunnan 2023 started today with a 118km stage in Chengjiang, near Kunming, under a wonderful blue sky. Nearly 1200 riders took the start for the long distance race, the first edition post-covid and without strict participation limits. Seven riders took the lead on the first of two mountain climbs around km 35, but 2014 GF Yunnan winner Wei Kui had to let the other six go in the ensuing descent. The front group stayed together on the second climb, but broke up in the technical and long descent back to Fuxian Lake. Hong Kong-based South African Luke Chambers was the fastest in the downhill, and together with Yang Zidong opened up a gap on the remaining 25 km back to the finish on flattish roads. However, Li Pengcheng - winner of GF Tengchong last month - and Wang Wen kept them within eyesight - albeit only just. Gong Bai Mo and Wu Bao Chao were further behind and settled for fifth and sixth. Luke Chambers appeared to be strongest uphill, but Yang Zidong grit his teeth together and held on. Still, in the final kilometre Chambers had no problems handling him and he won the stage seven second ahead. Interestingly, Li Pengcheng and Wang Wen came in just 20 seconds later.

The women's race was also exciting with four riders reaching out to victory. Initially, Li Si looked like the strongest in the two mountain climbs, but Chen Xiaomei, Chi Zhaoyuan and Yang Liping returned to make it a four-woman-sprint. And Li Si was also fastest in that and therefore took an impressive win.