Spain's Penalver wins opening stage at Tour of Magnificent Qinghai

XINING, China, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Manuel Penalver won the opening stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai on Sunday, clocking 2 hours, 31 minutes and 27 seconds over the 121-kilometer route around Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The 26-year-old Team Polti VisitMalta rider claimed both the Yellow Jersey for the overall race lead and the Green Jersey as the top sprinter.

Romania's Eduard-Michael Grosu of Huansheng-Vonoa-Taishan Sport Team finished second, with Danish rider Alexander Salby of Li-Ning Star Team placing third.

Iran's Hasan Seyfollahifard, riding for Tianyoude Hotel Cycling Team, crossed the line in 2:31:34 to earn the Blue Jersey, awarded to the best-placed Asian rider.

"I am glad to come to Qinghai and get the Blue Jersey today," Seyfollahifard said. "I have a plan for tomorrow's race and hope to get good results in the end."

Russian veteran Timofei Ivanov, 34, of Chengdu DYC Cycling Team, claimed the Polka Dot Jersey as the stage's top climber.

Previously known as the Tour of Qinghai Lake, the event was rebranded this year as the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai. First held in 2002, it is considered one of Asia's premier high-altitude road races, with an average elevation of 3,000 meters and diverse, challenging terrain.

The 2025 edition includes eight stages and covers 1,400 kilometers. It runs through July 13 and features more than 150 professional riders from 11 countries and regions.

Monday's second stage will run from Duoba to Huzhu over 151 kilometers and includes the race's most grueling climbs. ■