Tour of Magnificent Qinghai 2026 Stage 1 | Alexander Salby Wins Rain-Soaked Opener to Claim the First Yellow Jersey

Xining, Qinghai, China, July 11 – The 25th Tour of Magnificent Qinghai got underway on Saturday with a 121-kilometre circuit race in Xining, where SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star) sprinted to victory in a dramatic, rain-soaked finale to claim the opening stage and the first Yellow Jersey of the 2026 edition.

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- Start

Celebrating its 25th edition this year, the Tour returns to a full circuit of Qinghai Lake for the first time in more than a decade. The opening stage in Xining, known as China's "Summer Capital", provided an exciting start to eight days of racing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

SALBY crossed the line ahead of LEITÃO Iúri (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA) in second and BARBIER Pierre (Terengganu Cycling Team) in third after a chaotic bunch sprint in wet conditions.

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- Top 3

Leader Jerseys after Stage 1：

ICBC General Classification (Yellow Jersey): SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star)

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- Yellow Jersey Owner SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star)

Jinhui Liquor Points Classification (Green Jersey): SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star)

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- Green Jersey Owner SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star)

Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey): PAJUR Markus (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team)

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- Polka-dot Owner PAJUR Markus (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team)

Peak Best Asican (Blue Jersey): BATSAIKHAN Tegshbayar  (Roojai Insurance Winspace)

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- Blue Jersey Owner BATSAIKHAN Tegshbayar  (Roojai Insurance Winspace)

Stage 1, the ICBC Xining Circuit Race, covered 121 kilometres and featured two categorized climbs and three intermediate sprints. Although the route was predominantly flat, the combination of high altitude and the city's technical corners posed a significant challenge for the peloton.

The race began in the rain with temperatures around 15°C, as all 150 riders rolled out for the opening stage. Despite the difficult weather, the peloton maintained a remarkable average speed of 48.9 km/h.

Several early attacks were quickly brought back before SINSCHEK Nils (Li Ning Star) claimed maximum points over the first categorized climb, with PAJUR Markus (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team) taking second. SINSCHEK then joined BRACALENTE Diego (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort), CAMPBELL Augustus Max (CCACHE X BODYWRAP) and MCGEOUGH BREFFNI Cormac (7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines) in an early breakaway, but the quartet was soon reeled in by the peloton.

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- During Race

The first intermediate sprint was won by RIKUNOV Petr (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team), ahead of BESSEGA Gabriele (Team Polti VisitMalta) and defending champion MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS Astana Team).

With approximately 80 kilometres remaining, the decisive breakaway group finally formed as BATSAIKHAN Tegshbayar (Roojai Insurance Winspace), PAJUR Markus, and JOHNSTON Calum (Li Ning Star) established a lead of more than two minutes. The trio swept the top three places at both the second categorized climb and the second intermediate sprint, allowing PAJUR to strengthen his lead in the Mountains Classification.

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- During Race

Inside the final 30 kilometres, the peloton steadily reduced the gap under the impetus of Terengganu Cycling Team and Team Polti VisitMalta. After BATSAIKHAN and PAJUR collected the final intermediate sprint points, JOHNSTON eased off and returned to the bunch, while the remaining two escapees were caught before the start of the final lap.

Li Ning Star then assumed control at the head of the peloton, delivering SALBY into an ideal position for the expected bunch sprint. SALBY won the stage after a chaotic final kilometre. and become the first rider to wear the Yellow Jersey at the 2026 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai.

Tour of Magnificent Qinghai S1- SALBY won the stage

Racing continues on July 12 with Stage 2 – Jinhui Liquor Huangyuan–Menyuan, covering 225 kilometres. The stage features two Category 1 climbs and three intermediate sprints, including the ascents of Beishan Yakou and Baha Daban. Whether a breakaway succeeds or the stage comes down to another bunch sprint, Stage 2 promises another exciting day of racing.