With about 7 km to the finish, Schachmann from the Red Bull Bora Team pulled off. Aleotti took over for the final lead-out, continuing to pull Huang Chong toward the finish on Nongla Mountain.
The peloton was now nearing 60 km/h, a truly blistering pace.
Both sides of the road were lined with cheering fans watching the race live.
There was also the distinctive sound of drums, beaten by local ethnic minorities from Guangxi who had gathered spontaneously.
The clamor of gongs and drums was truly deafening. It was no exaggeration.
However, even with Aleotti burying himself with an all-out anaerobic effort on the final lead-out, Huang Chong still couldn't catch the breakaway group before the climb up Nongla Mountain began.
In fact, Aleotti's massive effort only managed to reel in Vangheluwe of the Quick Step Team.
The other three riders had already started the climb up Nongla Mountain.
Once the peloton started the climb, early positioning became crucial.
