The first day of the classic "Around Taihu" took place this morning on the long Lake Taihu course go and back of 10 km for a total of 20km.
The start was at 9:15 am, but the temperature was already high.
In fact it was just the heat to heavily influence enough the performance of athletes.
Upon arrival the temperature exceeds 30° Celsius while being at the end of September.
Men professional race
They remain almost all in group for over 5km.
To make the pace is Yu Wei (CHN), while Cai Zelin (CHN) seems to star for the honor of signing and to greet the audience.
Wang Zhen is absent, but its presence is guaranteed for the next day.
Towards mid-race are ten in front of the group.
The jury already are working.
Remember the special rules for this race: no penalty to the first red card, 60" of penalty to the second, more 60" to the third. At the fourth red card the athlete is disqualified.
Towards the 12km are four in the leading pack: Lebogang Shange (RSA), Dane Bird-Smith (AUS), Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) and Eider Arevalo (COL).
Shortly after them follow in another group Yu Wei (CHN), Bian Tongda (CHN), Andres Chocho (ECU), Caio Bonfim (BRA) and Federico Tontodonati (ITA).
Dane Bird-Smith (AUS) try to force the pace; he is only followed by the teammate Eider Arevalo (COL).
After a dozen meters comes Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) which in turn takes some advantage on Lebogang Shange (RSA).
At fifty meters the others with Bian Tongda (CHN), Caio Bonfim (BRA), Andrea Choco (ECU) and Tontodonati Federico (ITA) which seems to be in a very positive day.
At 16 km remain in the leading group in four. Both Shange and Karlstrom chatched the leaders.
Soon after follows at eighty meters Federico Tontodonati who gain a dozen of meters on Bian Tongda, Caio Bonfim and Andres Chocho.
But it is not over.
Force the pace Perseus Karlstrom and earns about ten meters on Dane Bird-Smith who has the better of Eider Arevalo.
Then the jury intervenes to stop in the last Pit Lane area Lebogang Shange who tried to resist to the first three. So Federico Tontodonati going to pick up a great four place in this first 20 km.
Order of arrival:
1st Perseus Karlstrom - SWE: 1:24:27
2nd Dane Bird-Smith - AUS: 1:24:50
3rd Eider Arevalo - COL: 1:25:02
4th Federico Tontodonati - ITA: 1:26:43
5th Bian Tongda - CHN: 1:27:54
6th Lebogang Shange - RSA: 1:28:06
7th Andres Chocho (ECU): 1:28:12
8th Caio Bonfim (BRA): 1:28:39
Women professional race
Only the presence at the starting line of the gold and bronze in Rio de Janeiro, Liu Hong and Lu Xiuzhi.
Go early lead Qieyang Shijie (CHN) who earns about fifty meters on Regan Lamble (AUS), Beatriz Pasqual (ESP) and the teammate Nie Jingjing (CHN).
It follows a group made up of Sandra Lorena Arenas (COL), Wang Yingliu (Ynn), Erica de Sena (BRA) and Nadia Borovska (UKR).
After the 10th Qieyang Shijie incredibly is catched from the other three athletes.
They remain a little together, but then on the forcing of Regan Lamble and Nie Jingjing resists only Beatriz Pascual.
The jury intervenes and stops in the Pit Lane area Beatriz Pascual for 60".
At this point the race is almost over.
For victory Nie Jingjing gets the better of Regan Lamble.
Order of arrival:
1st Nie Jingjing - CHN: 1:33:30
2nd Lamble Regan - AUS: 1:34:21
3rd Beatriz Pascual - ESP: 1:35:58
4th Qieyang Shijie - CHN: 1:36:04
5th Sandra Lorena Arenas (COL): 1:36:47
6th Wang Yingliu (Ynn): 1:36:53
7th Erica de Sena (BRA): 1:37:08
8th Nadia Borovska (UKR): 1:37:22
I podi della prima giornata