On October 16th, the second stage of the 2024 Tour of Guangxi WorldTour kicked off, showcasing fierce competition. 23-year-old Val Van Goolwey, a rider from the Soudal-Quick-Step team, emerged victorious in this thrilling sprint battle.
The stage, spanning 181.5 kilometers from Chongzuo to Jingxi, featured two intermediate sprint points and two third-category climb points. Competitors who performed well in this segment had a chance to don the polka dot jersey as the king of the mountains and also contend for the blue jersey as the sprint champion. This allure drew many riders to break away in pursuit of points and time bonuses, eventually leading to a stable eight-rider breakaway group.
As the race approached the final two kilometers, the competition intensified. On the wide and flat road, large groups formed sprint trains, creating an environment where anyone could claim victory. Val Van Goolwey ultimately triumphed over Astana’s Max Kanter, marking his first WorldTour stage win in his professional career.
Reflecting on the sprint, Van Goolwey shared, “I was Luca Rampa’s lead-out rider. In the last 500 meters, when I turned back to look for him, I saw he was blocked by other riders and had lost my position behind him. So, I decided to push myself and complete the sprint alone. To win my second career race, especially being the first to claim a stage victory in a WorldTour, is just fantastic!”
Looking ahead, the next stage from Jingxi to Bama spans 214 kilometers, featuring two intermediate sprint points and three climb points, making it the longest segment of this year’s Tour of Guangxi. Additionally, the total elevation gain of nearly 2,000 meters adds to the increasing difficulty of the race.
