Although he didn't win the overall classification, missing out by just 4", the Li Ning Star team still concluded the Tour of Hainan with a decidedly positive outcome. The Chinese Continental team finished the short stage race with Christian Raileanu in 2nd place overall behind Kyrylo Tsarenko and a triumphant sprint victory by Alexander Salby in Sanya.

"It was a pretty tough stage. We encountered a lot of wind on the course, which at times was also coming from the side. The pace was quite chaotic, but in the end, we managed to control the situation to secure the 2nd place overall and set up a sprint for me," said the 1998 rider from Aabenraa, who has now reached five victories this season.

"I had good legs, but also an extra motivation because I had promised my girlfriend, who has her birthday today, that I would dedicate the victory to her," Salby continued, "I launched my sprint a bit early because I saw a gap had opened, and when I found myself at the front, I still felt good and finished perfectly."

Salby now, as he specified to local media, will continue 2025 by flying to Uzbekistan and then return to Europe to participate in some races with the Danish selection.

"The goal is to ride the good momentum we are currently experiencing. The team is performing well, we have obtained results in every race we've participated in. Personally, today is my fifth victory, and I want to continue performing as well as possible for as long as possible. The dream is to live my best season ever, and so far, things are going well," concluded the Scandinavian sprinter with a smile.