Cotti Coffee - Tour of Guangxi
The Tour of Guangxi is China's leading international stage race and a fixture on the UCI WorldTour calendar. Held in October, the race takes riders through the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, combining flat roads, rolling terrain and steep climbs. Traditionally positioned towards the end of the professional cycling season, it provides opportunities for sprinters, puncheurs and general classification contenders.
When was the first edition of the Tour of Guangxi?
The first Tour of Guangxi was held from 19 to 24 October 2017, featuring six stages across southern China. The inaugural edition started in the coastal city of Beihai and finished in Guilin, covering approximately 921 kilometres.
Belgian rider Tim Wellens claimed the overall victory after winning the decisive fourth stage to the Nongla Scenic Spot. He finished six seconds ahead of Dutch rider Bauke Mollema, with Ireland's Nicolas Roche completing the podium.
Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria dominated the flatter stages, winning four of the six stages and securing the points classification.
How did the Tour of Guangxi come into existence?
The Tour of Guangxi was established through a partnership between the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Wanda Sports, aimed at developing professional cycling and increasing the sport's popularity in China.
The agreement introduced a new international stage race to the UCI WorldTour calendar in 2017, bringing the world's leading professional cycling teams to the Guangxi region.
The event was designed to showcase the region's landscapes, cities and tourism destinations while strengthening China's position within international cycling. A women's race was also introduced as part of the initiative.
After three successful editions, the race was suspended between 2020 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to the calendar in 2023, continuing its role as a major international cycling event in Asia.
Who has won the Tour of Guangxi the most times?
As of the 2025 edition, no rider has won the Tour of Guangxi more than once, with six different riders claiming the overall title.
Tim Wellens became the inaugural winner in 2017, followed by Italy's Gianni Moscon in 2018 and Spain's Enric Mas in 2019.
Following the race's three year absence, Dutch rider Milan Vader won the returning edition in 2023. Belgian Lennert Van Eetvelt secured victory in 2024, while British rider Paul Double claimed the overall title in 2025.
Where is the Tour of Guangxi held?
The Tour of Guangxi takes place in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, close to the country's border with Vietnam.
The route changes between editions, regularly connecting major cities such as Nanning, Beihai, Liuzhou and Guilin with smaller towns and rural communities.
The region is known for its distinctive limestone mountains, winding roads, rivers and subtropical landscapes. These geographical features give the race a varied character, combining fast sprint stages with rolling terrain and challenging uphill finishes.
One of the race's most recognisable locations is the Nongla Scenic Spot, where a steep finishing climb has frequently played a decisive role in determining the overall winner.
What category race is the Tour of Guangxi?
The Tour of Guangxi is classified as a UCI 2.UWT stage race and forms part of the UCI WorldTour, the highest level of professional men's road cycling.
The event joined the UCI WorldTour calendar immediately upon its introduction in 2017, establishing itself as one of Asia's leading professional cycling competitions.
Traditionally held in October, the Tour of Guangxi has frequently served as the final stage race of the men's UCI WorldTour season, giving riders one of their last opportunities to secure victories and ranking points before the winter break.
