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!
Race Profile
Race History
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.
Favourites
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!
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!
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.
Hong Kong Challenge 
