2026 Xizang cycling tour ends with international riders claiming top honors

The China Xizang Trans-Himalaya International Cycling Race concluded Thursday in Shigatse, a city in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, with the final 90.18-kilometer stage taking riders from Gyantse County to the city center.

The route wove through the Gyantse area and the Nyangchu River Valley before arriving in downtown Shigatse, offering a spectacular blend of cultural heritage sites and iconic plateau landscapes.

China Anta-Mentech rider Willem Jakobus Smit won the fifth and final stage in 1 hour 42 minutes 15 seconds, with Australia's Cameron Nicholas Scott second and Italy's Davide Persico third.

Raman Tsishkou of Li Ning Star secured the overall crown in 11 hours 6 minutes 50 seconds to take the yellow jersey, awarded to the rider leading the general classification across all stages.

Italy's Alexander Konychev claimed the green jersey, given to the sprint classification leader based on points earned in stage finishes and intermediate sprints.

"I was born at a really high altitude of about 1,600 meters.On top of that I live now, I come from South Africa, but I live in Andorra, which is also at an altitude of 1,500 meters already, so I already have a big benefit. But before linking with the team we're doing a lot of altitude camps in preparation for tour of king AI and tour of Himalaya. And all the hard work and the preparation paid off. Our whole team is actually really good at altitude. But as you said, today is the highest day, 4,000 meters above sea level and I was just feeling really good,” said Smit.

Across five stages and 570.68 kilometres, 18 teams and more than 120 riders finish the trip from Nyingchi to Lhasa, Shannan, and Shigatse, to bring the race to an end.

The event kicked off on Aug 1 with an opening ceremony in Lhasa, capital of Xizang.

This year's edition carries the theme of strengthening connectivity with South Asia, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, and promoting sports tourism and outdoor development.

2026 Xizang cycling tour ends with international riders claiming top honors

The BRICS countries have reached more than 60 outcome documents, making significant contributions to promoting global economic growth and shaping a fair, open international trade order, according to Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

BRICS has 11 member countries and 10 partner nations, accounting for nearly half of the world's population, around 30 percent of global GDP, and one-fifth of trade worldwide.

China attaches great importance to economic and trade cooperation with BRICS countries, with the mechanism of economic and trade cooperation now serving as a key pillar of the bloc's collaboration, according to the ministry.

To date, BRICS has held 16 Trade Ministers' Meetings, during which cooperative achievements were gained on issues including trade and investment facilitation, supporting multilateral trading systems, standards cooperation, supply chains, the digital economy and green development. These efforts have resulted in over 60 outcome documents that contribute significantly to global economic stability and the development of an equitable international trade environment, according to the ministry.

The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting was held in August in India's Jaipur. All parties agreed to safeguard the multilateral trading system, promote economic and trade integration among BRICS countries, and deepen cooperation and enhance mutual trust in areas such as global value chains, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and cross-border digital service trade.

The 18th BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi, India, from September 12 to 13.

BRICS countries advance global economy with over 60 outcome documents: commerce ministry