The Chinese Cycling Federation proposed a route through the mountains, which was met with great enthusiasm from Shikai and Jianhua Ji. The other cyclists in this country did not share this feeling.
The first separation comes in a tunnel. 27 riders in the front group including all professionals, some of their helpers and a few lucky locals.
The defensive riding continues until the final five kilometer. No action from Ji or Shikai or anyone else. Some riders who were dropped previously are close to returning.
The professionals except Mingrun Chen eventually get clear but only because the locals drop, not because of attacking. Shikai is in the lead, Ji further down the group.
It is the other Ji, Cheng Ji, who leads with 500 meters but is starting to struggle. Shikai on the right is about to overtake and Jianhua Ji is on the left moving up. Jiang the other riders still in contention for the win, though M. Chen managed to get back just before the sprint kicked off.
Chen Shikai is victorious on this Chinese mountain! He defeats Jianhua Ji, who is awarded the same time. Cheng Ji third at fourteen seconds, Jiang fourth at fourteen seconds, and all other riders finish at half a minute.
Li is the defending champion and looking to prolong his title.
Shikai is out to take the double though, as second-a-last starter he sets a time of 1h06'20 for Li to beat.
Li is already twenty-two seconds faster at the first split and can comfortably ride to the finish in the same pace. In the end he is 53 seconds faster than Shikai, with J. Ji completing the podium at four minutes.
Chinese National Road Race Championship 
