Tour of Magnificent Qinghai 2026 Stage 4 | UMBA LOPEZ Abner Santiago Wins in Guide as CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan Takes the Yellow Jersey
- Cassie Lyu
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Guide, Qinghai, China, July 14 – UMBA LOPEZ Abner Santiago (Solution Tech Nippo Rali) claimed victory on Stage 4 of the 2026 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai after outsprinting a three-rider breakaway in Guide.
CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA) finished second to move into the lead of the ICBC General Classification, while BUCHMANN Emanuel (Cofidis) completed the stage podium in third.
Leader Jerseys after Stage 4
ICBC General Classification (Yellow Jersey): CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA)
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 4, the China Sports Lottery Huzhu–Guide Stage, covered 196 kilometres and featured one HC climb, one Category 3 climb, and three intermediate sprints. The ascent of Laji Mountain Pass and the long descent that followed provided the day's decisive challenge. Racing got underway under cloudy skies with temperatures around 15°C, as 138 riders rolled out from Tuyuhun Square in Huzhu.
With the Yellow Jersey expected to be decided on the HC climb, the peloton kept tight control over the early attacks. After nearly 15 kilometres of aggressive racing, only PELLAUD Simon (Li Ning Star) managed to break clear, taking maximum points at the first intermediate sprint ahead of LEITÃO Iúri (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA) and SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star).
Once PELLAUD was caught, Li Ning Star launched another attack through SINSCHEK Nils and TSISHKOU Raman, aiming to collect further sprint points for Green Jersey holder SALBY Alexander. TSISHKOU Raman won the second intermediate sprint before the pair crossed the first categorized climb in first and second place respectively, while WEI Kongqing (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team) attacked from the peloton to take third over the summit.
After the first climb, the peloton eased the pace to conserve energy ahead of the demanding ascent of Laji Mountain Pass, allowing the two leaders to extend their advantage. TSISHKOU Raman claimed maximum points at the third intermediate sprint, while MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS Astana Team) sprinted to third from the peloton, earning a one-second time bonus that temporarily moved him level on time with Yellow Jersey holder CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team) on the virtual General Classification.
Holding an advantage of more than six minutes, SINSCHEK Nils and TSISHKOU Raman reached the foot of the HC climb. As XDS Astana Team increased the pace at the front of the peloton, TSISHKOU Raman was dropped and caught, while SINSCHEK Nils continued alone and came within two kilometres of the summit before being reeled in.
Immediately after the catch, CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan launched a decisive attack, with CRUZ MARTINEZ Edward Santiago (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) the only rider able to respond. The pair crossed the HC summit first and second respectively, while Polka Dot Jersey holder AGIRRE EGAÑA Jon secured third-place points.
Following the descent, the peloton regrouped, but CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan remained in front with a narrow advantage. He was soon joined by UMBA LOPEZ Abner Santiago, forming a two-man lead with a gap of around 15 seconds. With 6 kilometres remaining, BUCHMANN Emanuel bridged across from the peloton to create a three-rider lead group. Holding an advantage of around 10 seconds, the trio stayed clear all the way to the finish despite a late attack from KUDUS Merhawi (Burgos Burpellet BH) with 2.5 kilometres to go.
In the final sprint, UMBA LOPEZ Abner Santiago proved the strongest, powering to an impressive stage victory, while CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan's second-place finish was enough to secure the Yellow Jersey.
Racing continues on July 15 with Stage 5 – Peak Guide–Gonghe. The stage features one Category 1 climb, one Category 3 climb, and three intermediate sprints. As the race approaches the Qinghai Lake region, the early climbs are expected to provide the ideal launchpad for breakaway attempts before another tactical battle unfolds between the escapees and the peloton.
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