The inaugural edition of a sprint duathlon in Xiwuqi as part of the KOG Challenge was held in hot but good conditions and saw some exciting racing in eleven heats and two great finals in the afternoon. The competition was split up between road bike and MTB categories on the same course of 2,2 km cycling, 1.3km running and again 1,1 km cycling. The running section inside Xiwuqi’s EcoPark proved determinant for a lot of performances, and certainly for the victory of Zhang Sipeng in the men’s road bike category. Zhang Sipeng started the run as very last participant, but ran a sub-4 pace to catch and overtake the stronger cyclists. He then held onto to his lead in the final kilometre on the bike back to the finish. He completed the course ahead of Zheng Chang Lei and Li Kai Shan. In the men’s MTB category it was good old Wang Lidong who took top honours in the final, ahead of Mengke Wuleji and Wang Yongping.
In the women’s road bike category we saw blitz starts by Granfondo Yunnan 2023 winner Li Si, but she could not keep her lead in the running part. In the heats that was also due to her decision to change from cycling shoes to running shoes, following which she barely qualified for the final. Participants had to choice of changing shoes or not. With hindsight, not changing and starting the race with running shoes proved to be the better choice. Li Si finished fourth in the final, behind winner Chen Yixuan, Lu Fangfang and Bai Meng.
On the MTB, the fastest woman was Zhang Yan, ahead of Zhang Yaqian and Gao Xinwen.
All four winners collected 80 points for the KOG Competition, which in 2024 entered a new format based on points and no longer based on finishing times.
On Saturday morning, the Xiwuqi KOG Challenge continues with the marathon, half marathon or 11k fun run.
