With Chen Hao and Li Si defending and keeping their titles as the 2025 Granfondo Yunnan champions, the 12th edition came to a close in Xishuangbanna after another memorable week., characterised by a lot of rain but also by a wonderful vibe and atmosphere among the more than 2000 cyclists who took part in the event. You can now relive 2025 Granfondo Yunnan via our video collection below:
Read MoreStage 5 in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, was again the conclusion of the 2025 Granfondo Yunnan event, but on a modified course compared to last year. 133km with 2500hm and -unfortunately- again rain during a large part of the race. While Li Si was already as good as certain of winning the women's Granfondo Yunnan for the second consecutive year, the men's race still had three riders within five seconds in the GC. However, already on the first long climb of the day it was clear that Chen Hao had the best legs. Wang Jin and Zhou Keqiang got dropped and had to spend energy to get back to the front, which they only achieved at km 81 when the second and tougher climb began. Chen Hao did not have it easy himself, though. When Chen Hongbo and Li Peilin attacked, he could not respond. Chen Hongbo proved to be the best climber and descender in treacherous conditions to win the stage , 44 seconds ahead of Li Peilin. Shenzhen-based Belarussian rider Artsiom Rusanenka had his best day of the week and took a superb third place. Chen Xiangyuan took fourth ahead of Chen Hao in fifth. The latter won the men's Granfondo Yunnan, also for the second consecutive year. Wang Jin and Zhou Keqiang only managed 11th and 12th on the day in Xishuangbanna.
Read MoreAt last a dry day ! Riders could really enjoy the great 108km long racing course through the famous tea plantations in Pu'Er . The competition up front was also very exciting to follow with lots of breakaway attempts that initially looked fruitful. However, somehow an elite group always came back - even after 75km. A new small group of five developed on one of the short climbs at km 81 and this group would later end up sprinting for the stage win. Chen Hao proved quickest and took his second stage win and the yellow jersey to boot. Zhou Ke Qiang again followed in his slipstream - second place - , but the GC leader in the yellow jersey , Wang Jin, missed this key breakaway and therefore lost his jersey by a mere two seconds to Chen Hao.
Read MoreRain struck again, unfortunately. Lincang/Fengqing, venue for Stage 3 and the Queen’s Stage of this year’s Granfondo Yunnan event, got hit by massive rainfall causing severe mudslides and even a road collapse. Already on the rest/transfer day from Tengchong, it became clear that the long distance course was too badly affected by the weather that racing would be impossible. In fact, in one area the concrete mountain road broke in two , forcing authorities to block access all together. No long distance race of 156km across Lucky Dragon Mountain, but hopes were still up that riders could all race on the short distance loop of 55km. Alas, as rain continued to fall during the night - causing many mudslides on the race course -, it was decided that racing is not feasible.
Read MoreStage 2 in Bao Shan / Tengchong developed into a true epic cycling day, as heavy rain showers battered the 1800 riders after 50 km of the 160km. Temperatures dropped accordingly, which made the already tough course in Tengchong even harder to complete. Halfway into it, the race director decided to move the finish line of the race to the summit of Dong Shan (East Mountain) at km 137, to avoid trouble in the fast descent back to the city. A decision that was welcomed by nearly everyone given the freezing conditions on the mountain.
Read MoreThis year’s first proper stage of Granfondo Yunnan in Dehong / Mangshi saw a fantastic solo effort from 24-year-old Wang Jin, already a brave attacker last year. Wang Jin went into an early breakaway group of six on the flat roads that led up to the start of the Jiandong Mountain climb, a long climb with 1000 hm vertical gain. Wang Jin dropped his companions quickly and went solo from there to the finish back in Mangshi after 116 km. At times the gap to his nearest chasers was just a dozen of seconds, but in the long descent he managed to extend it again and win the stage and thus the first yellow jersey.
Li Si, winner of the Granfondo Yunnan 2024, was again the best of the female riders - winning solo as well, as part of a substantial group with male riders.
Read MoreGreat weather and cycling conditions for the Prologue Duo TT today in Dehong/Mangshi City, a new format introduced in Yunnan this year. Riding in teams of two against the clock in 3 categories (male, female, mixed) and this around the water reservoir just outside the city centre of Mangshi. The loop was short, 9 km, but quite technical with lots of corners and some ups & downs.
Victories went to Xia Wei and Zhou Cheng in the men's in 12'00", Liang Yanqing and Shen Xiaomin in 14'11", and last year's Granfondo Yunnan overall winners Chen Hao and Li Si in the mixed category in 12'31"!
The awards for the female podium were handed out by none other than former triple world road race champion Peter Sagan, special guest of honour in Mangshi, courtesy of event sponsor Specialized. Sagan himself did not take part in the competitions.
Read MoreAs the wet season is coming to a close in Yunnan, the traditional final check of this year’s race courses concluded last weekend. Compared to earlier announcements, only minor changes have been made to the original course maps, except the last one in Xishuangbanna. The final stage of this year’s Granfondo Yunnan event now measures 133km with about 2500 metres of elevation gain, promising more variety and scenery compared to last year’s edition.
Read MoreThe registrations for the 12th edition of our Colourful Yunnan Granfondo Cycling Festival opens on Thursday, 28 August at 13:00 Beijing Time. As always, it is recommended to sign up early to avoid missing out on one of the full tour bibs. This year, the stage race takes place from 1 to 8 November, but is preceeded by a Duo TT limited to 500 couples or 1000 riders in total.
Read MoreThe 12th edition of the Colourful Yunnan Granfondo Cycling Festival is about to be officially launched later this month. Taking place from 1 to 8 November 2025, the event will feature the same five cities as in 2024, but will be preceeded on Friday, 31 October by a new Duo Time Trial in Mangshi, which will not count towards the general classification of the GF Yunnan competition.
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