Li Auto Cup 2026 Tour of Hainan – Stage 2 | Guillermo Thomas Silva Wins Queen Stage and Takes General Classification Lead

Cassie Lyu
1 hour ago
2 min read

Stage 2 of the Li Auto Cup 2026 17th Tour of Hainan was held on the morning of April 16, starting from Danzhou and providing the first decisive test for the General Classification.

Riding for the XDS Astana Team, Guillermo Thomas Silva claimed victory on the queen stage and moved into the lead of the General Classification, taking over the yellow jersey. Xabier Berasategi (Euskaltel–Euskadi) finished second on the stage and assumed the lead of the Points Classification, earning the green jersey.

2026 Tour of Hainan S2-Guillermo Thomas Silva claimed victory

After a long day in the breakaway, Igor Chzhan (Quick Pro Team) successfully defended the polka-dot jersey as leader of the King of the Mountains Classification, while Nicolas Vinokurov (XDS Astana Team) became the best Asian rider on the General Classification and claimed the blue jersey.

The race was flagged off at 10:00 a.m., with 132 riders starting under sunny conditions and temperatures reaching 32°C. The 214.1-kilometer stage began at Yangpu Coastal Cultural Square in Danzhou and featured two intermediate sprints, three Category 1 climbs and one Category 3 climb.

After around 20 kilometers of racing, a four-man breakaway formed, consisting of Igor Chzhan, Ethan Batt (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team), Gao Yongbing (FNIX–SCOM–Hengxiang Cycling Team) and Nils Ian Sinschek (Li-Ning Star Team). With XDS Astana Team controlling the peloton, the break extended its advantage to more than three minutes. Sinschek claimed the first intermediate sprint, while Batt and Gao followed. By the midway point of the stage, the gap had grown to over six minutes, with Gao collecting maximum points on the first Category 1 climb.

As the race approached the Yinggeling Mountain climb, 61 kilometers from the finish, the peloton increased the pace and steadily reduced the gap. Chzhan crested the climb first and briefly went clear, but his advantage was neutralised on the descent. A late solo move by Sinschek was also brought back, and all breakaway riders were caught with 21 kilometers remaining.

2026 Tour of Hainan S2-Riders Ride Through Mangrove Forest

The final ascent of Atuoling Ridge proved decisive, with a select group forming at the front. Silva crested the summit first, ahead of Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank Team). After the descent, the front group regrouped and the stage was decided by a reduced bunch sprint.

In the final meters, Guillermo Thomas Silva launched his effort to secure the stage victory. Xabier Berasategi finished second, while Thomas Pesenti (Polti–VisitMalta) completed the podium in third.

After the finish, Silva said:

“It was a very hard stage, and my teammates did a great job throughout the day.”

The race continues on April 17 with Stage 3 from Wuzhishan to Qiongzhong and Lingshui, another long and demanding stage expected to further shape the General Classification.