China’s Zhaoliang Xu and Lu Bian swept to victory in the UCI Gran Fondo Hangzhou-Liangzhu Individual Time Trial on Saturday, claiming the men’s and women’s honours on day one of this sold-out UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifier in Zhejiang Province.
Xu, riding for the Merida squad 美利达诺飞客车队, posted 00:25:34 at a blistering average speed of 48.6 km/h over the flat 21-kilometre out-and-back circuit through the UNESCO-recognised Liangzhu cultural landscape — a commanding performance that left the men’s field well beaten. Italy’s Nicolas Marini of MNSTRY Racing was the sole non-Chinese rider in the men’s top ten, claiming second in 00:25:52, just 18 seconds back. China’s Peilin Pang (美利达诺飞客车队) completed the men’s podium in 00:26:04, 30 seconds adrift.
Yunfei Wu was fourth in 00:26:35, 1 minute 1 second behind Xu, while Xiaoyu Xie rounded out the top five in 00:26:55, 1 minute 21 seconds back. Germany’s Uhl Bernhard was the top masters finisher and the only other international rider in the top ten, placing tenth in 00:27:45, 2 minutes 11 seconds off the pace. A total of 233 men started the event.
Lu Bian of 喜德盛Branta女子车队 — one of China’s most prominent women’s cycling clubs — won the women’s time trial in 00:30:09, with Taotao Lyu (Sakona) finishing second 26 seconds later in 00:30:35. Jin Feng completed the women’s podium in 00:30:41, 32 seconds back. The women’s top ten was entirely Chinese across 78 starters, with Siye Chen fourth in 00:31:38 and Jindan Hu fifth in 00:33:10, 3 minutes 1 second off Bian’s winning mark.
With only 11 metres of elevation on its flat and fast layout, the Liangzhu course was a pure test of aerodynamics and sustained power — and Saturday’s winners left no doubt about who came prepared.
Sunday’s 107-kilometre gran fondo around Qiandao Lake, featuring three KOM climbs, will complete the qualification weekend. The top 25% in each age and gender category will earn automatic berths at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko, Japan, scheduled for 26-30 August.
Gran Fondo Daily News will publish Sunday’s gran fondo road race results here when available.
Liangzhu Individual Time Trial results HERE
Photo Credit: UCI Gran Fondo China
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