|
Hong Kong Challenge discussion
|
| Heine |
Posted on 07-05-2026 12:12
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4708
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
 Hong Kong Challenge
Welcome to the 8th edition of the Hong Kong Challenge. One of the last hilly classics of the CT season, with most of the top puncheurs in CT on the startline!
The race was not only demoted to C2 last season, it was changed from a 3-day stage race to a one-day classic. Despite being only a C1 race prior the list of winners consists of some big names, and one could even argue that last years winner is a big name!
Previous winners:
Spoiler
| Year | Winner | | | 2024 | Gianni Moscon (Cervelo Test Team) | | | | | | | | 2023 | Brandon McNulty (McCormick Pro Cycling) | | 2022 | Timofey Kritskiy (Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team) | | 2021 | Eduard Alexander Beltran (Cedevita) | | 2020 | Wilco Kelderman (Philips) | | 2019 | Vincenzo Nibali (Euskaltel - Elior) | | 2018 | Leopold König (Valio - DeLaval) |
2024 results:
Spoiler
| 1 | Gianni Moscon | Cervelo Test Team | 4h09'02 | | 2 | Julien Bernard | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | + 17 | | 3 | Juan Pedro Lopez | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | s.t. | | 4 | Ruben Guerreiro | Team Würth MODYF | s.t. | | 5 | Bachirou Nikiema | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | s.t. | | 6 | Xianjing Lyu | Duvel-Tsingtao | s.t. | | 7 | Gonzalo Serrano | Euskadi-Murias | s.t. | | 8 | Eduard Alexander Beltran | Spark Team NZ | s.t. | | 9 | Odd Christian Eiking | Hilcona Racing Team | s.t. | | 10 | Cristian Raileanu | Babymetal | s.t. |
Having won last year noone should blame us for setting  Moscon as the big favorite. The only 80 rated hilly rder, riding for the team of the season. He is THE big favorite and the man to beat, but the field trying to beat him as a big (and strong) one.
 Turgis and  Eriksson might be the strongest competitors, they combine good hilly skills with good stamina and strong accelleration for the last push towards goal. Former top puncheur  Sagan is another strong rider, but he has started to feel his age. Can he stay with the big guns in what might be one of the last races in the peloton?
Watson and  Vincent are two other strong riders, but might be that the race is not long enough for them to use their biggest strenght compared to others here?
If the race is raced hard over the peaks that might help the likes of  Paez, last years 10th  Raileanu and  Masnada who are among the strongest climbers here (if we think that Smith is here to support Moscon)
There is a small flat at the end, if  Lagane that might be his ace here with his sprint!
| Name | FL | MM | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC | | Moscon | 71 | 77 | 80 | 76 | 77 | 60 | 73 | | Sagan | 68 | 75 | 79 | 72 | 68 | 69 | 70 | | Turgis | 73 | 73 | 79 | 76 | 78 | 70 | 77 | | Eriksson | 72 | 73 | 79 | 78 | 74 | 65 | 76 | | Watson | 70 | 72 | 78 | 76 | 72 | 62 | 72 | | Lagane | 70 | 74 | 78 | 70 | 71 | 76 | 77 | | Paez | 73 | 75 | 77 | 74 | 70 | 73 | 76 | | Gladysh | 72 | 74 | 77 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 76 |  Kanepejs | 70 | 72 | 77 | 72 | 71 | 62 | 71 | | Vincent | 70 | 74 | 77 | 79 | 72 | 67 | 71 | | Mayer | 68 | 73 | 77 | 65 | 72 | 72 | 77 |  Montenegro | 69 | 74 | 77 | 71 | 73 | 64 | 74 | | Senyenov | 70 | 70 | 77 | 68 | 73 | 68 | 73 | | Raileanu | 66 | 77 | 77 | 74 | 73 | 59 | 70 | | Hoelgaard | 72 | 76 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 74 | | Dyrnes | 67 | 74 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 64 | 76 |  Carr | 68 | 74 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 59 | 72 | | Masnada | 71 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 75 | 63 | 73 | | Gall | 67 | 77 | 76 | 70 | 71 | 61 | 72 | | Schultz | 68 | 76 | 76 | 74 | 80 | 58 | 71 |
Full start list:
|
| |
|
|
| jt1109 |
Posted on 07-05-2026 12:33
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3595
Joined: 23-07-2008
PCM$: 600.00
|
Not a clue! This is essentially my thought, on this might suit Moscon, might suit Smith, so just lumped them both in and hopefully one of them can Podium! |
| |
|
|
| Heine |
Posted on 07-05-2026 13:59
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4708
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hopeing for a good result from Vincent here
|
| |
|
|
| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 07-05-2026 17:40
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2596
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Depends how it is ridden I guess, Rumac might stand a chance in a reduced sprint or Masnada for a more aggressive race.
Thanks for the preview Heine.
|
| |
|
|
| Bjartne |
Posted on 07-05-2026 20:05
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3142
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
|
We really need a good result here Eriksson. Come on! 
Thanks a lot Heine! |
| |
|
|
| Heine |
Posted on 08-05-2026 12:15
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4708
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Quite happy with Schultz here, seems like mountain stat played a role (or MM?)
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 09-05-2026 08:40
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| jt1109 |
Posted on 08-05-2026 12:25
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3595
Joined: 23-07-2008
PCM$: 600.00
|
Heine wrote:
Quite happy with Schultz here, seems like mountain stat played a role (or MM?)
Not a clue could never work it out felt better to just throw everything at it with spare rds
Smith below our expectations but not going to complain with a top 10
Congrats to Ethiopian again and for the report KB |
| |
|
|
| seancoll |
Posted on 08-05-2026 14:32
|
Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 887
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
|
Congratulations Ethiopian! Always love a great result to end the season.
Barta finally showing why we wanted him to join the team - a fantastic sprint after a tough day on the road and really fighting for our changes here at the end of the season. Was clearly a tough battle on the road and we're really happy to see this sort of take-away.
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 08-05-2026 19:16
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 17884
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
What's the point in Lagane if he doesn't even sprint in a small group finish? Yes, I get the reality that he's just not very good over hills, but i can still complain about it.
|
| |
|
|
| Bjartne |
Posted on 08-05-2026 20:33
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3142
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
|
Hoelgaard is also okay 
Congrats to our friends in Ethiopian Airways with a superb win. I did not predict Sagan to still be quite up there, wow.
Thanks for the great report kb! |
| |
|
