Iranian Mirsamad crowned in Tour of Qinghai Lake

LANZHOU, China - Pourseyedigolakhour Mirsamad of Iran's Tabriz Petrochemical Team (TPT) won the 12th Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race that concluded on Saturday.

Mirsamad managed to keep the yellow jersey for the leader of general individual classification from the third stage till the end.

He was also awarded the blue and polka-dot jerseys, which represent the best Asian rider and best climber respectively.

Sacha Modolo from Italy's Bardiani Valcole - CSF INOX (BAR), winner of the last stage, secured the green jersey for the best sprinter. He scored six stage victories in the 13-stage race that lasted 14 days.

Jacob Keough from US United Health Care Cycling Team got the first place of the last stage.

The last stage was a five-lap circuit race in Lanzhou, capital city of Gansu Province, covering a total distance of 96 kilometers.

Twenty-two cycling teams competed in this year's Tour of Qinghai Lake. However, the Chinese teams only had an average performance.

"China has just got started with professional cycling. We still have a long way to go," said Feng Jianping, head of Qinghai Sports Administration.

This year's Tour de Qinghai Lake covered 3,057 kilometers, with the average altitude reaching 2,700 meters above sea level and the maximum standing at 4,120 meters.