2025 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S2 | SILVA Guillermo Thomas Sprints to Victory and Seizes Yellow Jersey at

DUOBA, QINGHAI, CHINA – July 7, 2025 – Stage 2 of the 24th "ICBC" Tour of Magnificent Qinghai commenced today at the Qinghai Duoba National Altitude Sports Training Base – renowned as a "Cradle of Champions" – concluding with a thrilling finale in Huzhu County, the "Land of Rainbows."

After 151 grueling kilometers, SILVA COUSSAN Guillermo Thoms (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) and CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Petrolike) emerged from a late breakaway, with the Uruguayan national champion SILVA COUSSAN Guillermo Thoms proving strongest in the two-up sprint to claim the stage win.

MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS-Astana Team) won the sprint from the chasing group to secure third place.

Jersey Winners:

• Yellow Jersey (General Classification Leader): Guillermo SILVA COUSSAN Guillermo Thoms (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) sponsored by ICBC

• Green Jersey (Points Leader): MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS-Astana) sponsored by Jinhui Liquor

• Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): PELLAUD Simon （Li Ning Star) sponsored by Nissan

• Blue Jersey (Best Asian Rider): SAFARZADEH Saeid (Tianyoude Hotel Cycling Team) sponsored by PEAK

SILVA COUSSAN Guillermo Thoms, the 2024 Tour of Qinghai Lake runner-up, was elated with his victory. "The real key point today was the final climb," he stated post-race. "There were strong riders like those from XDS-Astana in the lead group, the competition was fierce! But Jonathan [CAICEDO] and I managed to cooperate until the end. I'm incredibly happy to win the sprint."

Stage Profile & Action:The 151km Duoba to Huzhu stage introduced the race to the rolling hills of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, featuring 3 categorized climbs (including the HC-categorized Beishan Yakou at 3371m and 2 intermediate sprints – a significant shift from the pan-flat Stage 1.

Under sunny skies and 22°C in Xining, 151 riders rolled out at 11:25 AM. Attacks came immediately, with KOMAC Nejc (FACTOR Racin), impressive yesterday, again joining the breakaway. The move solidified after 8km, establishing a 20-second advantage for KOMAC Nejc, BRADÁ Adam(FACTOR Racing), MENGS Petros (Istanbul Büyükșehir Belediye Spor Türkiye), PELLAUD Simon (Li Ning Star), SOBAL Yauhen (Chengdu DYC Cycling Team), and MONK Cyrus  (FNIX-SCOM-Hengxiang Cycling Team ).

The peloton, conserving energy for the major climbs ahead, allowed the break to build a lead of 3 minutes 20 seconds heading towards the first intermediate sprint at the Dangaer Ancient City. KOMAC Nejc took maximum points ahead of teammate BRADÁ Adam with PELLAUD Simon.

As the road tilted upwards towards the first HC climb, the break fragmented. KOMAC Nejc, BRADÁ Adam, and Monk dropped back, leaving MENGS Petros, SOBEL Yauhen, and PELLAUD Simon out front. SOBEL Yauhen later fell back on the Beishan Yakou, leaving MENGS Petros and PELLAUD Simon with a 3:10 gap. PELLAUD Simon crested the HC summit first and then soloed over the next categorized climb.

Concerned by PELLAUD Simon 's persistence, XDS-Astana moved to the front of the peloton to chase. After 70km alone, PELLAUD Simon was finally caught just before the final Category 1 climb (Shuobei Yakou at 3033m). XDS-Astana continued setting tempo for leader MULUEBERHAN Henok.

Intense accelerations on the climb shelled riders out the back. MULUEBERHAN Henok attacked with 3km to the summit, sparking a flurry of counter-moves. AGIRRE EGAÑA Jon (Euskaltel-Euskadi) surged clear to take the KOM points, with MULUEBERHAN Henok second.

A dangerous descent followed, sparking new attacks. A crash involving KRZANICH James (Huansheng-VONOA-Taishan Sports) and three others briefly disrupted the chase but didn't halt the race.

With 20km remaining, SILVA COUSSAN Guillermo Thoms and CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever forged clear, building a 15-second gap over a 13-rider chase group, with the peloton at 30 seconds. The duo maintained their advantage all the way to the line in Huzhu, where SILVA COUSSAN Guillermo Thoms outpowered CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever in the sprint.

Looking Ahead: Stage 3

Stage 3 ("Nissan" Huzhu to Menyuan) on July 8th features 3 categorized climbs and 2 intermediate sprints. While the first half is demanding, strong breakaway specialists and climbers could seize an opportunity if they establish a significant gap over the Category 3 climb approximately 70km from the finish.