On October 20, 2024, the sixth and final stage of the Gree Guangxi International Road Cycling World Tour concluded with a thrilling sprint finish. Matevž Govekar of Bahrain Victorious claimed the stage victory after an intense 134.3 kilometers of racing.
Lennert Van Eetvelt from Lotto Soudal emerged as the overall champion, with Oscar Onley from DSM taking second place and Alex Baudin of AG2R Citroën securing third.
Race Overview
The sixth stage of the 2024 Gree Guangxi Tour was held entirely in Nanning, with the start and finish at the Guangxi Cultural Arts Center. Riders covered a total distance of 134.3 kilometers, completing five laps of 27.3 kilometers each. The route featured two intermediate sprint points at 52.4 kilometers and 107 kilometers, as well as three Category 2 climbs.
The course began along the scenic Yong River and included the challenging Qingxiu Mountain, featuring a steep 1.4-kilometer ascent with an average gradient of 11.7%. Riders faced the demanding climb five times, making it a true test of endurance.
Race Highlights
The race kicked off at 1:50 PM, attended by numerous dignitaries, including local officials and representatives from the International Cycling Union. The early pace was aggressive, leading to several breakaways. Eventually, a stable group of six riders formed, with Tim Wellens from UAE Team Emirates looking to gain climbing points.
The stage saw a rapid tempo, with average speeds reaching 45 kilometers per hour. Despite the efforts of the breakaway group, they could not withstand the relentless chase from the peloton. As the finish approached, Bahrain Victorious utilized their numbers, allowing Govekar to time his sprint perfectly for the stage win.
Final Standings
After the stage concluded, the winners of the various jerseys were confirmed:
Lennert Van Eetvelt secured the red jersey for overall victory and the white jersey for best young rider.Ethan Vernon from Israel-Premier Tech earned the blue jersey as the sprint leader.Pepijn Reinderink of Soudal-Quick-Step claimed the polka dot jersey for climbing.Tim Wellens received the combativity award for his aggressive riding.UAE Team Emirates was awarded the best team title.
Conclusion
The 2024 Gree Guangxi Tour showcased stunning landscapes and fierce competition over six thrilling days, covering 1021.8 kilometers through various cities, including Fangchenggang, Chongzuo, Jingxi, and Nanning. Though the race has concluded, the stories and memories will resonate with fans as they eagerly await next year’s event.
