Tour of Magnificent Qinghai 2026 Stage3 | MULUEBERHAN Henok Triumphs in Huzhu as CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever Takes the Yellow Jersey
- Cassie Lyu
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Huzhu, Qinghai, China, July 13 – Defending champion MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS Astana Team) returned to winning form on Stage 3 of the 2026 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, outsprinting a select group of riders to claim victory in Huzhu after the race's first major mountain stage.
Starting in Menyuan and finishing in Huzhu, the 168-kilometre stage featured one Category 1 climb, one Category 2 climb and three intermediate sprints, providing the first decisive test for the General Classification contenders. CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team) finished second and moved into the overall race lead, while FAGUNDEZ LIMA Antonio Eric (Burgos Burpellet BH) completed the stage podium in third.
Leader Jerseys after Stage 3
ICBC General Classification (Yellow Jersey): CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team)
Jinhui Liquor Points Classification (Green Jersey): SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star)
China Sports Lottery Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey): AGIRRE EGAÑA Jon (Euskaltel–Euskadi)
Peak Best Asian Rider Classification (Blue Jersey): BATSAIKHAN Tegshbayar (Roojai Insurance Winspace)
Stage 3, the ICBC Menyuan–Huzhu Stage, covered 168 kilometres and featured two categorized climbs and three intermediate sprints. Racing got underway under cloudy skies with temperatures around 16°C, as 143 riders rolled out from Menyuan.
An eight-rider breakaway formed shortly after the start, featuring BUDZINSKI Marcin (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort), DUBA Maxime (Azerion / Villa Valkenburg), CAMPBELL Augustus Max (CCACHE X Bodywrap), NIU Gaoshang (Bodywrap LTwoo Cycling Team), RAPP Jonas (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team) and Stage 1 winner SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star), who joined the move in pursuit of valuable sprint points. They were later joined by KYFFIN Zeb (Terengganu Cycling Team) and PAJUR Markus (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team), allowing the breakaway to quickly establish a lead of three minutes.
With the day's decisive climbs coming in the second half of the stage, the peloton kept the breakaway under control rather than launching an immediate chase. The advantage eventually grew to seven minutes. SALBY Alexander won all three intermediate sprints to move into the virtual lead of the Points Classification, while Team Polti VisitMalta, defending the Yellow Jersey of BESSEGA Gabriele, controlled the pace at the front of the peloton before the race reached the climbs.
On the ascent of Shierpanpo, the General Classification teams increased the pace at the front of the peloton, putting the breakaway under pressure. One by one, the escapees were dropped until only RAPP Jonas remained out front. He crossed the summit first to take maximum mountains points, while RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian (XDS Astana Team) attacked from the peloton to crest the climb in second. Yellow Jersey holder BESSEGA Gabriele was unable to respond to the acceleration and was dropped from the leading group. AGIRRE EGAÑA Jon and MULUEBERHAN Henok soon joined RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian in the chase of the lone leader.
Still riding strongly, RAPP Jonas maintained a lead of around 30 seconds over the summit of Beilongshan Yakou, with RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian and MULUEBERHAN Henok taking second and third across the climb. On the descent, Rapp continued to hold a 30-second advantage over the three-rider chase group, while the peloton trailed by approximately one minute. With 24 kilometres remaining, seven riders bridged across from the peloton to join the chase, and their combined effort finally brought back the determined escapee with 13 kilometres to go.
An 11-rider lead group entered the final five kilometres together. AGIRRE EGAÑA Jon launched the first attack but was quickly reeled in. Moments later, MULUEBERHAN Henok produced a powerful acceleration that none of his rivals could match, sprinting clear to secure his first stage victory of this year's Tour.
After the finish, MULUEBERHAN Henok praised the work of his teammates throughout the stage.
"The team was incredibly strong today and gave me great support from start to finish. I knew the final suited me well, and when the opportunity came, I went all in. I'm really happy to take my first win of this year's race."
Racing continues on July 14 with Stage 4 – China Sports Lottery Huzhu–Guide. The 196-kilometre stage features one Hors Catégorie (HC) climb, one Category 3 climb and three intermediate sprints. A demanding HC ascent followed by a long descent is expected to create another major test for the General Classification contenders.
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