On May 16, the "Haoyun Shandong" 2026 Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) International Road Cycling Race officially began at Longju Lake Square in Dongying.

Participating riders assemble at the starting area as the road cycling event gets underway. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]

Registered as a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Asia Tour 1.2 one-day race, the event featured 18 teams from 30 countries and regions competing on a 150.6-kilometer wetland eco-route. Starting and finishing at Longju Lake Square, the course followed roads along the Yellow River embankment and wetland corridors, with two intermediate sprint points and ten laps of competitive racing.

After intense breakaway attacks and high-speed pursuits, Alexander Bereznyak of Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team won the individual title with a time of 3:15:29. He also claimed the green jersey for sprint points. Hu Junxian of the HKSI Pro Cycling Team received the blue jersey as the best Greater China rider, while Alex Vandenbulcke earned the pink combativity jersey.

Jersey winners attended the awards ceremony following the event. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]

The event highlighted Dongying's wetland landscape, ecological achievements, and growing reputation as a city integrating sports, culture, tourism, and ecological development.

Riders compete along the race route. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]

The peloton maintains its pace through a shaded, tree-lined section of the route. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]

Competitors pass local landmarks during the race. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]

Riders make a final push toward the finish line in the final moments of the race. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]

An aerial view captures the race route running through Dongying's green landscape corridor. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]