With Paul Double's victory (the first by a British rider in the event's history), another edition of the Tour of Guangxi has been archived. Following the same route as last year, the race once again brought the World Tour caravan to traverse the roads of southern China, rediscovering how demanding (especially from a climatic perspective) and fascinating this region bordering Vietnam is.

Beyond the scenery, the race did not fail to provide insights, novelties, and satisfactions, thus closing the top series calendar in the best possible way. From Magnier's victories (author of a phenomenal quintet and the youngest winner ever in the race), Guglielmi's tenacity (always attacking to give a final joy to Arkea-B&B Hotels), the local hero Su's desire to stand out (awarded most combative rider of the queen stage), Cofidis' points chase, and the farewells of Gibbons, Peters, and McLay, the Guangxi offered daily reasons to follow with interest the epilogue of an event whose future remains unclear.

To try to understand this, and to review what we've seen and better comprehend how the Chinese race's organizational machine works, we consulted an old acquaintance of Italian cycling like David Loosli (seen between 2004 and 2011 with Saeco and Lampre jerseys) who, since 2017, has been part of the Tour de Suisse working group tasked with supporting local organizers in setting up the Tour of Guangxi.

David, what's the balance sheet of this edition?

"As an organization, we are very satisfied, there were no incidents or particular problems, so for us it was a positive edition. Also considering the sporting side, in the end, we can say we saw some interesting stages."

This year's route was identical to last year's, so it's natural to ask if you already have the idea of proposing it exactly the same in 2026, or if you'll change something?

"For now, we don't yet know with certainty what next year's route will look like, but the idea of proposing this route again in 2026 is there. The reason is that it's not easy to change the itinerary because many roads are not equipped to host such a competition: many of those the riders have faced in the last two years were specifically renovated for the Tour of Guangxi, and this operation obviously has certain costs. So, without yet knowing the details of next year's route, I wouldn't rule out that the current one will be confirmed."

In the future, can we expect maybe a seven-day race or a new calendar positioning?

"Everything is possible. Regarding the calendar and race days, it's always the UCI that decides, but I can say that the six-day format satisfies both the Chinese and us. It's clear that, being a race that closes the season, it can't be too tough or too long: from this point of view, the current route is perfect."

How does the process of selecting start and finish locations work? How far in advance do you activate to identify them?

"This aspect is not managed by us at BTC but by the Chinese, particularly the Guangxi region: they provide us with a list of cities that could be start or finish locations, along with proposals for possible stages. Then it's up to us, also by coming here on-site, to see if, from both safety and sporting perspectives, their ideas are suitable or not."

Typically, how far in advance do you come to review the stages?

"In this year's case, we already knew the entire route, but generally we come six months in advance to review it in full. The organizational machine, in any case, starts moving at the end of the previous edition, but at that point we limit ourselves to reviewing the maps. The Chinese, however, have already acquired good experience and already have an idea of what can and cannot be done."

What do they insist on most organizationally? Do they make any particular requests or not?

"No, none in particular. By now they've understood how everything works because now, after coming to Europe in person in the past, they know cycling. They still struggle to take on certain responsibilities, but that's also why we're here now: knowing how this world works, the regulations, and having contacts with the UCI, they trust us and the standard we bring."

From your perspective, could there be a second mountain finish sometime?

"Personally, it would be nice to have a second mountain finish, it would help diversify things. Now, by always proposing this route, from winter it's already known there will essentially be five stages for sprinters, and this blocks the race. Knowing that the overall will be decided on the penultimate day, climbers can relax and save themselves until the only mountain finish. That's why I think it would be nice to have a slightly tougher stage before Nongla."

Do you see growing interest in cycling here in China?

"It seems so to me, although it's not easy to understand the Chinese and talk to them. The way of experiencing the event is certainly different, just look at the spectators who are kept away from the roads for fear something might happen. That said, it seems to me that people are happy to see us here."

Do you feel there's more passion for bicycles in more general terms?

"I'd say yes. In big cities, for example, you come across fans who follow the main European races like the Tour de France and know the riders, and that's very nice."