author：qinghaihu publish time：2024-07-07
Jensen Plowright has stormed home in the final hundred metres in the opening stage of this year’s Tour of Qinghai Lake to claim his first professional victory
The young Australian outsprinted Italian Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) and Jesper Rasch (Parkhotel Valkenburg) who rounded out the podium.
It was an impressive performance from Alpecin-Deceuninck, the Belgian squad took up the responsibility to chase the early break but also had the reserves to shut down a late move from Team Medellin.
However, they were well rewarded for their effort, with Plowright claiming the leaders and green jersey along with the stage victory.
Earlier today riders were greeted to overcast conditions at Qinghai’s capital Xining, for the opening stage of the 23rd Tour of Qinghai Lake.
A relatively easy stage covering 120 kilometres in nine laps around Xining central district.
Despite the simple route, the peloton averaged above 50kmph for the opening two laps before relenting, allowing a break containing Clement Alleno (Burgos-BH), Mathis Avondts (Hotel Valkenburg), Ethan Batt (Hengxiang Cycling Team) and Wang Jiancai (Tainyoude Hotel Cycling Team to gain a two minute advantage.
Luke Meadow (Li Ning Star) wasn’t interested in rolling around Xining in the peloton, the New Zealander bridged across to the break on the fourth lap whilst Avondts dropped back to Peloton.
Jiancai made those most of his day in the breakaway, outsprinting his companions to secure the Polka Dot Jersey and Blue jersey for best place Asian rider.
The break never got far however, Alpecin-Decunin and Tarteletto-Isorex immediately pulling to keep the break at within two-minutes and eventually made the catch with a lap to spare.
Still, the Belgium teams piled on the pressure and effectively shut down a late attack from Team Medellin, guarantying a bunch sprint.
Plowright was patient and avoided getting swamped, before the last 200m he wove through traffic and powered to his first professional victory.
Stage two of the 2024 Tour of Qinghai Lake is 112km long beginning in Douba and will finish in Huzhu.
