The third day of the classic "Around Taihu" took place in the botanical park Yuanboyuan, on a lap of 3.5 km to be covered three times for a total of 10.5 kilometers.
The start was given at 9:00, and today also the day is very hot with high humidity.
Men professional race
The race is pretty much a copy of that of the previous day.
Almost all group of best athletes are together in the first lap of 3.5 km with Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) setting the pace.
In the group there are also Dane Bird-Smith (AUS), Andres Chocho (ECU), Federico Tontodonati (ITA), Eider Arevalo (COL), Caio Bonfim (BRA) and Igor Glavan (UKR).
Very pleased to see Tontodonati compete with the top athletes without any fear.
On the second lap, the situation has not changed in the leading group.
Is Federico Tontodonati (ITA) to pass first. Follow him Perseus Karlstrom (SWE), Eider Arevalo (COL) and Dane Bird-Smith (AUS).
The latter now seems less brilliant than usual.
Who does not seem to acknowledge the effort is Eider Arevalo who, on a slightly uphill bridge, force the pace and took the lead just behind the Australian and Swedish.
And this would be the key of the race. The three earn about fifty meters, but then Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) is forced to give way to the two opponents.
In the last meters Dane Bird-Smith gets the better of Eider Arevalo, but it is exhausted.
Excellent race of Federico Tontodonati (7th) which now also finishes along with Caio Bonfim (5th) and Gao Wenkui (CHN - 6th)
Order of arrival:
1st Dane Bird-Smith - AUS: 42:22
2nd Eider Arevalo - COL: 42:23
3rd Perseus Karlstrom - SWE: 42:53
4th Lebogang Shange - RSA: 42:59
5th Caio Bonfim - BRA: 43:27
6th Gao Wenkui - MON: 43:32
7th Federico Tontodonati - ITA: 43:32
8th Evan Dunfee - CAN: 43:42
Women professional race
It is formed at once the head group with Erica de Sena (BRA), Regan Lamble (AUS), Beatriz Pasqual (ESP) and Nie Jingjing (CHN).
On the first lap, however, guide Sandra Lorena Arenas (COL) and Nadia Borovska (UKR).
On the second lap Qieyang Shijie (CHN) has reached the leader.
However, in the head is the other Chinese Nie Jingjing together with Erica de Sena (BRA).
After 8km Qieyang Shijie (CHN) increases again, off her teammate and won quite easily.
Order of arrival:
1st Qieyang Shijie - CHN: 45:18
2nd Nie Jingjing - CHN: 46:06
3rd Erica de Sena - BRA: 46:23
4th Lamble Regan - AUS: 46:44
5th Li Leilei - CHN: 46:54
6th Beatriz Pascual - ESP: 46:59
7th Wang Yingliu - Ynn: 47:15
8th Inna Kashyna - UKR: 47:33
Full results (men and women, individuals and per team and progressive of two days) in the section Results or directly download from this link: click here
Male and female podium