The 16th Tour of Hainan cycling competition concluded on Friday in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, with Alexander Salby of Li-Ning Star claiming victory in the fifth stage and Kyrylo Tsarenko of Solution Tech Vini Fantini securing the general championship title.
Spanning 182.8 kilometers from Dongfang to Sanya via Ledong, the final stage saw Salby dominate a dramatic sprint finish, clocking a time of 4 hours, 18 minutes, and 3 seconds. The emotional win fulfilled a promise Salby made to his girlfriend, adding a personal touch to his athletic achievement. “This one was for her,” he shared post-race.
Tsarenko, who retained his lead throughout the nine-day event, praised the challenging course and competitive field. “Hainan’s landscapes test both endurance and strategy,” he remarked, underscoring the race’s reputation as a proving ground for elite cyclists.
The event, Asia’s only UCI ProSeries race, drew athletes from 20 countries and regions, reinforcing Hainan’s growing appeal as a hub for global sports tourism. With its mix of coastal vistas and mountainous terrain, organizers highlighted the island’s potential to attract business and leisure travelers alike.
