On Oct 19, Lennert Van Eetvelt from Team Lotto–Dstny emerged victorious at the Yizhou-Nongla stage, marking the end of the fifth stage of the Tour of Guangxi 2024 in Hechi.

The Yizhou-Nongla stage, covering 165.8 kilometers, is renowned as the "queen stage" of the Tour of Guangxi 2024. The stage features two sprint points at the 60.7 km and 142.1 km marks, with a challenging 5.9 km climb starting at the 117.1 km mark, with an average slope of 5.5 percent. Despite sudden rainfall during the race, riders maintained speeds of over 80 km per hour.

The final 3.2 km to the top of Nongla Mountain had an average slope of 6.3 percent. Lennert Van Eetvelt was the first to conquer the average slope of 14.8 percent during the final 1.2 km, showcasing his climbing skills and securing victory.

The stage began at Hechi City Center Square, where enthusiastic locals welcomed the teams with traditional songs and attire.

"Everyone is so excited. As the riders depart from Hechi today, we welcome them to return to the city after the race and experience more of our local customs and culture," said Mrs Tan, a local resident.  

An aerial view of riders during the race. [Photo/Hechi Daily]