The Chinese Road Championships feature a similar route as most of the Asian NCs - a "Japan Cup" copy with 154km and challenging climbs. 8 riders will be at the start..
..of which 3 start for Oz Cycling and each 2 for Meiji and PFG-Armavia. Ji (Meiji) not only had a great season - especially in Asia - but will also be the top-favorite for the road race, with Jiao (Oz) as the most dangerous opponent.
One clear favorite for the TT (Ma) may only fear Li (Oz) or Liu (PFG) as possible contenders..
Speaking of the TT and now looking at the first serious breakaway attempt, this makes for an interesting situation:
Li (Oz)
Liu (PFG)
Ma (Metinvest)
attack the "bunch" with 132km remaining.. so all three favorites for the timetrial try their luck in the road race already!
So it ain't surprising to see the two Oz-riders (and one PFG) in the "peloton" refusing to chase and Meiji won't even try to chase.
The three escapees will be the winning group and with 6km to go, Liu (weakest climber here) goes solo!
Hard to say wether his former breakaway companions couldn't follow or just didn't want to pull the other back to Liu, but anyway..
..Biao Liu takes out the road race by almost two minutes! An easy win in an easy race, with an easy winning move. Easy going, right?
At least the 40km timetrial (featuring some difficulties) promises a more interesting battle: Ma as the clear favorite has some competition in Liu and Li, maybe..
Biao Liu (PFG) just wants to repeat his victory over Ma and Li.. he sets a late notable BT, which means some pressure for the remaining two..
Slightly better rated Wen Hao Li (Oz) obviously can't stand this pressure - or at least can't beat Liu: + 3" for Li, so another empty-handed try just like in the road race.
Haijun Ma (Metinvest) is without any doubt today's top-favorite though and he will be top-motivated after his "fail" in the road race (as the best puncheur of this three):
he delivers this time, but it's a rather small gap - Ma takes the TT-title by 18" on Liu and proves that he's China's best against the clock!
Chinese Road Championships feature a similar route as most of the Asian NCs - a "Japan Cup" copy with 154km and challenging climbs. 8 riders will be at the start..
