Kazakhstan’s XDS Astana takes podium in China’s premier cycling race

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan’s XDS Astana Team delivered a strong performance in Stage 5 of the Tour of Qinghai Lake in China, with Eritrean rider Henok Mulubrhan finishing second in a tight photo finish.

The 168.7-kilometer stage started in Qilian and ended with a bunch sprint in Gangcha, where Mulubrhan was edged out by fractions of a second. His teammate, New Zealander Aaron Gate, placed fourth.

“Our team worked really well today. We put pressure on the GC leader right from the start,” Mulubrhan said after the race. “Ten of us were in the front with 50 kilometers to go, but the peloton caught up. We shifted focus to the final sprint. My teammates, especially Aaron, gave me a perfect leadout. Maybe I launched a bit late, but it was a good fight.”

XDS Astana, backed by Kazakhstan and part of the country’s growing investment in international cycling, continues to make its mark on the UCI Asia Tour. Mulubrhan’s performance reflects the team’s strategic strength and growing global profile.

The Tour of Qinghai Lake is one of Asia’s top cycling competitions, held in the high-altitude terrain of western China. Now in its 24th edition, the race attracts elite riders from across Asia, Africa, and Europe, serving both as a platform for emerging talent and a battleground for general classification points.

Mulubrhan, considered one of Africa’s most promising cyclists, has been in top form this season. His results in Qinghai signal both personal momentum and the potential for XDS Astana to contend in upcoming stages.