Tour of Magnificent Qinghai 2026 Stage 7 | MACIAS ESTRADA Cesar Wins Stage as CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever Retains the Yellow Jersey
- Cassie Lyu
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Xihai Town, Qinghai, China, July 17 – MACIAS ESTRADA Cesar (Burgos Burpellet BH) claimed victory on Stage 7 of the 2026 Tour of Magnificent Qinghai after winning a fast bunch sprint in Xihai Town. NENCINI Tommaso (Solution Tech Nippo Rali) finished second, while SALBY Alexander (Li Ning Star) completed the podium in third. CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team) successfully defended the ICBC General Classification Yellow Jersey heading into the final stage.
Leader Jerseys after Stage 7
ICBC General Classification (Yellow Jersey): CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team)
Jinhui Liquor Points Classification (Green Jersey): MULUEBERHAN Henok (XDS Astana Team)
China Sports Lottery Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey): RAPP Jonas (FNIX–SCOM Hengxiang Cycling Team)
Peak Best Asian Rider Classification (Blue Jersey): SAFARZADEH Saeid (Qinghai Tianyoude Hotel Cycling Team)
Stage 7, the ICBC Gangcha–Xihai Town Stage, was shortened to 105.4 kilometres after the Tongbaoshan climb was removed from the route due to adverse weather conditions. The revised stage featured three intermediate sprints, with the finish remaining in Xihai Town.
Racing got underway under cloudy skies with temperatures around 14°C, as 96 riders rolled out from Gangcha.
The stage began at a high pace, with the peloton reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h. Owing to the short distance, the peloton kept a tight rein on the racing, preventing any successful breakaway from establishing itself during the opening 30 kilometres. XDS Astana Team controlled the front of the bunch, setting up third-placed overall rider MULUEBERHAN Henok for the intermediate sprints. He took maximum points at the first sprint ahead of CASTELLON RIBALTA Jan (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA) and Yellow Jersey holder CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever.
Cold temperatures and persistent rain around Qinghai Lake made for demanding conditions throughout the stage. With the General Classification teams maintaining a consistently high pace, several riders were dropped despite the flat profile. TSISHKOU Raman (Li Ning Star) won the second intermediate sprint, ahead of DARDER GARI Sergi (Caja Rural–Seguros RGA) and MULUEBERHAN Henok. At the final intermediate sprint, DARDER GARI Sergi took maximum points, while CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever crossed second to collect valuable bonus seconds.
With 30 kilometres remaining, VAN BEKKUM Darren (XDS Astana Team) launched the day's first successful breakaway. He was soon joined by MASCIARELLI Lorenzo (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) and NENCINI Tommaso (Solution Tech Nippo Rali), and the trio built an advantage of around 25 seconds with 20 kilometres to go. VAN BEKKUM Darren attacked solo with 18 kilometres remaining, while Team Polti VisitMalta led the chase from the peloton. His two former breakaway companions were caught with 8 kilometres remaining. Shortly afterwards, KONYCHEV Alexander (China Anta–Mentech Cycling Team) attacked from the peloton and bridged across to VAN BEKKUM Darren inside the final five kilometres, but by then the peloton was closing rapidly.
The two leaders were finally caught less than 100 metres from the finish, setting up a dramatic bunch sprint. MACIAS ESTRADA Cesar proved the fastest in the dash to the line, taking an impressive stage victory ahead of NENCINI Tommaso and SALBY Alexander, while CAICEDO CEPEDA Jonathan Klever safely retained the Yellow Jersey before the final stage.
The victory marked the first professional individual win of MACIAS ESTRADA Cesar's career. Speaking after the stage, he said:"This victory means a lot to me because I've worked so hard over the past few years. Today I finally achieved my first professional win, and I'm incredibly happy. I'd like to thank my team, my family and my coach for all their support. This is exactly what I've been working towards."
Asked about the cold and rainy conditions, the stage winner remained philosophical:"I think the weather affected everyone. Over the past two days we've seen around 40 riders unable to finish because of the cold and the time limit. That's part of bike racing—everyone is doing everything they can just to reach the finish. You have to deal with those conditions every day and keep believing in yourself. You take it one day at a time, and maybe the next day turns out to be your day, just like it was for me today. You simply have to embrace the suffering and stay focused on your goal."
The race concludes on July 18 with Stage 8 – ICBC Xihai Town–Qinghai Lake Scenic Area. The 146-kilometre finale features one Category 3 climb and four intermediate sprints. After crossing Riyue Mountain Pass, the peloton is expected to regroup for what promises to be a decisive sprint finish beside Qinghai Lake.
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