The 2026 edition of the China Xizang Trans-Himalaya 2026 closed under the sign of the two strongest and most winning Chinese teams, China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team and Li Ning Star. The first secured the final stage, the Jiangzi-Shigatze of 90.1 kilometers, thanks to the action of Willie Smit who, after launching an attack 4 kilometers from the finish line alongside Oceania champion Carter Bettles (Roojai Insurance Winspace) and subsequently Callum Ormiston (The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team), found the strength to distance his two companions on the final straightaway and, resisting the return of the group controlled by Cameron Scott (Li Ning Star) ahead of Davide Persico (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort), secured his first professional victory since the 2017 African Championships, the second for his team in the final five days of racing.

This success allowed China Anta to ease the disappointment of missing out on the overall victory: after carrying and defending the yellow jersey until yesterday, it was ultimately Raman Tsishkou who claimed the classification leader's symbol. He moved to the top of the standings thanks to the time bonuses for second place in yesterday's stage, and today he successfully defended first place with the help of his teammates, thus securing the podium ahead of Petr Rikunov of Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team (3rd) and Alexander Konychev (China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team): the Italian rider, who trained in Livigno with today's stage winner in the weeks before the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai and Trans-Himalaya commitments, had to settle for second place, 3 seconds behind the Belarusian rider. This result, combined with the green jersey for the points classification, confirmed the excellent form he has achieved in recent weeks.

Equally impressive was the condition of the two over-30 Belarusians Tsishkou and Aliaksei Shnyrko who, between them, accumulated two victories, two second-place finishes and the overall triumph for Li Ning Star, bringing the team to a temporary total of 28 seasonal wins (only UAE, Red Bull, Visma and Netcompany, considering .2 races as well, have more) and just 123 points away from 30th place in the UCI ranking held by Picnic PostNL. These figures testify to the quality of the season so far crafted by Zhe Sun's team.

Speaking of those who achieved remarkable results in the final days spent in the Tibet Autonomous Region, from an Italian perspective, one must not forget a super combative MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort (with a victory and multiple top placings with Persico, and also appearing in the action with trainees D'Aiuto and Bozzola), a Bardiani CSF 7 Saber that, despite not raising their arms in victory, placed two riders in the final top ten (Colnaghi 5th and Magli 9th, both multiple times among the stage top ten) and earned 103 precious UCI points, and also, from an Italian perspective, some riders who either in the final standings (Attilio Viviani and Lorenzo Cataldo) or during the various race days (see Riccardo Lucca attacking today) managed to make their mark.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Willie Smit (China Anta–Mentech Continental Cycling Team) 1:42:15

2. Cameron Scott (Li Ning Star) s.t.

3. Davide Persico (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) s.t.

4. Oscar Gallagher (CCACHE x BODYWRAP) s.t.

5. Alexander Konychev (China Anta–Mentech Continental Cycling Team) s.t.

6. Luca Colnaghi (Team Beltrami TSA Tre Colli) s.t.

7. Djordje Djuric (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) s.t.

8. Raman Tsishkou (Li Ning Star) s.t.

9. Cristian David Pita (Roojai Insurance) s.t.

10. Attilio Viviani (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Raman Tsishkou (Li Ning Star) 11:06:50

2. Alexander Konychev (China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team) +0:03

3. Petr Rikunov (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team) +0:48

4. Willie Smit (China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team) +0:50

5. Luca Colnaghi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) +0:53

6. Zeb Kyffin (Quick Pro Team) +0:54

7. Andreas Miltiadis (Terengganu Cycling Team) +0:55

8. Filippo Magli (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) +0:59

9. Cormac McGeough (7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines) +0:59

10. Eduardo Sepúlveda (Li Ning Star) +1:00

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points Classification: Alexander Konychev (China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team)

Team Classification: Quick Pro Team