Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Tour of Guangxi 2025

Both the men’s UCI WorldTour and the UCI Women’s WorldTour hold their final races of the season this week — and in both cases, the stage is set in China.

In the men’s category, the Tour of Guangxi will take place over six stages from Tuesday to Sunday. In the women’s calendar, the action begins with three days at the Tour of Chongming Island, from Tuesday to Thursday, and concludes on Sunday with the Tour of Guangxi Women’s WorldTour — a one-day race that shares its circuit with the final stage of the men’s event.

Tour of Guangxi: Route and Favorites

The men’s race that closes the UCI WorldTour features a six-stage route identical to the 2024 edition. Of the six days, five are classified as medium-mountain stages and only the first as flat, though last year several stages still ended in bunch or reduced sprints. The general classification will almost certainly be decided on the fifth stage, finishing at the Nongla Scenic Spot (3.2 km at 7.3%).

Mattias Skjelmose (800), Aurélien Paret Peintre (400), Pello Bilbao (600), Roger Adrià (400), Jan Christen (600), Frank Van Den Broek (400), Bauke Mollema (200), and Alexey Lutsenko (200) are among the main contenders for the overall title.

For the sprints, Phil Bauhaus (600), Pavel Bittner (600), Jordi Meeus (600), Paul Magnier (600), Marijn Van Den Berg (600), Stanislaw Aniolkowski (400), Max Kanter (400), Arne Marit (200), Ivo Oliveira (200), and Oded Kogut (200) are some of the fastest on paper.

Tour of Chongming Island: Route and Favorites

The women’s stage race can be summed up simply: three days for sprinters.

Elisa Balsamo (1000) is the standout sprinter on the provisional start list. Georgia Baker (200), Karlijn Swinkels (800), Kathrin Schweinberger (200), Laura Tomasi (200), Tamara Dronova (200), Silvia Zanardi (200), and Clara Copponi (400) are also quick finishers.

Tour of Guangxi Women’s WorldTour: Route and Favorites

As mentioned, the women’s Tour of Guangxi covers the same course as the final stage of the men’s race. The women will complete four laps of a 27-kilometer circuit featuring a 1.3 km climb at 11%, which could split the field.

Elisa Balsamo (1000) is the top favorite if the race ends in a sprint, with the same rivals as in the Tour of Chongming Island. However, last year’s edition was decided by a breakaway. If that happens again, two of Balsamo’s teammates — Riejanne Markus (800) and Anna Henderson (800) — will be strong contenders for victory. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (400), Giada Borghesi (200), Caroline Andersson (200), and Karlijn Swinkels (800) would also favor a selective race.

Photo: © Tour of Guangxi