Tour of Magnificent Qinghai 2026 Concludes with Closing and Awards Ceremony
- Cassie Lyu
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
QINGHAI LAKE, Qinghai, China, July 18 – The 25th edition of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai came to a successful conclusion on July 18, with the Closing and Awards Ceremony held in the afternoon at the Qinghai Lake Scenic Area.
In his address at the ceremony, He Bin, Executive Deputy Director of the Organising Committee of the 25th Tour of Magnificent Qinghai and Director of the Qinghai Provincial Sports Bureau, said:
“Eight days of high-altitude racing brought us an unforgettable spectacle filled with emotion and excitement from start to finish.
This was a sporting celebration that challenged the limits and pushed athletes beyond themselves. With an average altitude of more than 3,000 metres, tens of thousands of metres of accumulated climbing and a series of steep uphill battles, the plateau course presented the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai's defining test—and a badge of honour for every rider. Through determination and resilience, the riders overcame the challenges of the plateau and embodied the Olympic spirit through speed, sweat and perseverance, showcasing the competitive appeal and fighting spirit of the Tour of Qinghai to the fullest.”
This was a spectacular celebration of Qinghai's landscapes and the passion of sport. The spinning wheels connected the ancient culture of the Hehuang Valley, golden fields of flowers, the clear waters of the Yellow River, vast grasslands and shimmering lakes. The magnificent plateau scenery accompanied the race throughout its journey, while the event captured the attention of audiences around the world. Viewers across the globe travelled through the landscapes of Magnificent Qinghai alongside the riders, bringing the event's values of ‘Green, Culture, Harmony and Experience’ even closer to the hearts of the people.
This was a dynamic event that empowered development and brought tangible benefits to local communities. By promoting the deep integration of agriculture, sport, culture, tourism, commerce and wellness, the race used the momentum of the event to stimulate county-level economies and rural development, while helping distinctive agricultural and pastoral products and ethnic cultural and creative industries reach wider markets.
The goal is to transform the energy of a sporting event into new momentum for development and greater benefits for the people—to truly achieve the vision of ‘holding one event, revitalising an industry, invigorating a local economy and benefiting local communities.’”
Recognised as the world's highest-altitude international professional road cycling race, the 25th edition of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai was held from July 11 to 18, covering a total distance of 1,627 kilometres.
After eight stages of intense competition, CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team)won the ICBC General Classification Yellow Jersey. MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS Astana Team) claimed the Jinhui Liquor Points Classification Green Jersey, while teammate RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian won the Mountains Classification Polka Dot Jersey. SAFARZADEH Saeid (Qinghai Tianyoude Hotel Cycling Team) took the Peak Best Asian Rider Classification Blue Jersey.
In the team classifications, Bardiani CSF 7 Saber finished first to claim the honour of Best Team.
The 22 teams from four continents raced across the vast Qinghai Plateau. Starting from the cool “Summer Capital” of Xining, the riders circled the shimmering waters of Qinghai Lake and tackled the dramatic mountain passes of the Qilian Mountains, including Laji Mountain Pass, Beishan Yakou, Shierpanpo and Riyue Mountain Pass.
They passed through Menyuan's vast fields of blooming rapeseed and the picturesque landscapes of Huzhu, known as the “Rainbow Hometown”, before reaching Xihai Town, the “Atomic City”, and the shores of Qinghai Lake.
The riders experienced not only the unparalleled natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of “Mountains as Ancestors and Rivers as Sources—Magnificent Qinghai”, but also the distinctive landscapes and cultural traditions of “Dreamlike Haibei”. Rivals on the road and teammates in spirit, they raced with unity, determination and courage, embodying the true meaning of the sporting spirit through their actions.
This year marked the 25th edition of the Tour of Qinghai. Twenty-five years is long enough for a sporting event to become part of a land's collective memory. From its beginnings as a high-altitude cycling challenge to today's international event, which brings riders from around the world to Qinghai and draws enthusiastic crowds along the route, the race has carried the passion and perseverance of generations of organisers and people across the province.
Building on the integrated development of agriculture, sport, culture, tourism, commerce and wellness, this year's Tour of Magnificent Qinghai pursued three key pathways: transforming individual events into a broader season of activities, turning resources into new sources of momentum, and using the event brand to promote integration.
A series of supporting cycling activities were organised alongside the race, bringing cycling into scenic areas, neighbourhoods and commercial districts, and inspiring more people to “travel with the race”. Through these efforts, the event has deepened the integration of sport with ecological conservation, rural revitalisation, cultural tourism and commerce, injecting fresh momentum into Qinghai's high-quality development.
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