Tour of Huangshan 2026: preview and favourites for the Chinese race

Tour of Huangshan 2026: the return of the Chinese race On Friday 18 September 2026, the curtain rises on the Tour of Huangshan, a procontinental race held in China. The start and finish town is Huangshan, famous for its mountainous landscapes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Tour of Huangshan takes its name from the Huang Mountains, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in eastern China — source: OFFICIAL RACE DATA The protagonists expected at the start 104 riders are entered, representing continental and professional teams. Among the most anticipated teams are Li Ning Star, fielding a top-level lineup with Eduardo Sepúlveda, Cameron Scott, Luke Mudgway, Cristian Raileanu and Calum Johnston; Burgos Burpellet BH with Georgios Bouglas and Daniel Cavia; Euskaltel - Euskadi with Hodei Muñoz, Xabier Isasa and Gari Ugarte; Terengganu Cycling Team with Vadim Pronskiy and Mathias Bregnhøj; and Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team with Petr Rikunov and Jonathan Klever Caicedo. This year's results of the protagonists Looking at the 2026 results database, some names stand out. Eduardo Sepúlveda (Li Ning Star) took a stage win at the Tour of Salalah, along with notable placings in the same race and a 6th place in a stage of the China Xizang Trans-Himalaya. Cameron Scott (Li Ning Star) shone at the Tour of Taihu Lake with a 3rd and a 6th place in stages, and won a stage at the Tour of Salalah. Luke Mudgway (Li Ning Star) won a stage at the Tour de Gyeongnam and placed at the Tour of Taihu Lake and the Tour of Japan. Cristian Raileanu (Li Ning Star) won the Romanian national road title and took 2nd in a stage at the Tour of Romania. Jeroen Meijers (Victoria Sports) won a stage at the Tour of Salalah and placed 4th in another stage, plus 8th at the Dhofar Classic. Lauri Tamm (China Anta - Mentech) won a stage at the Baltic Chain Tour and one at the Tour of Lithuania. Dylan Hopkins (Roojai Insurance Winspace) won a stage at the Grand Prix Jizzakh and placed 2nd in another. Tiano Da Silva (The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team) took two stage wins at the Tour de Maurice. Niels Reemeijer (Huansheng-Vonoa) won a stage at the Cycling Tour of Albania. Hodei Muñoz (Euskaltel - Euskadi) placed at the Tour of Taihu Lake and the Vuelta a Burgos. Georgios Bouglas (Burgos Burpellet BH) placed at the Cycling Tour of Albania and the Tour of Hellas. Daniel Cavia (Burgos Burpellet BH) stood out at the Volta a Portugal with three stage runner-up finishes. Xabier Isasa (Euskaltel - Euskadi) won a stage at the Volta a Portugal. Jonathan Klever Caicedo (Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team) took two stage runner-up finishes at the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai. Callum Ormiston (The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team) placed at the Tour of Salalah and was 2nd at the Classique of Mauritius. Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH) won a stage at the 7th Baku-Khankendi Azerbaijan Cycling race. Nicolás Alustiza (Euskaltel - Euskadi) placed at the Vuelta Asturias. Gari Ugarte (Euskaltel - Euskadi) placed at the Vuelta Asturias and the ZLM Tour. Rodrigo Álvarez (Burgos Burpellet BH) placed at the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai. Carter Bettles (Roojai Insurance Winspace) placed at the Tour of Salalah and the Grand Prix Jizzakh. Eduardo Sepúlveda also won the Dhofar Classic, a one-day race. The favourites for victory In light of the season's results, Eduardo Sepúlveda (Li Ning Star) appears to be the man to beat: his victory at the Dhofar Classic and his placings at the Tour of Salalah put him at the top of the favourites list. Behind him, Cameron Scott (Li Ning Star) and Jeroen Meijers (Victoria Sports) are the most credible alternatives, with Luke Mudgway (Li Ning Star) and Cristian Raileanu (Li Ning Star) ready to seize any opportunity. Among possible surprises, Lauri Tamm (China Anta - Mentech), Dylan Hopkins (Roojai Insurance Winspace) and Tiano Da Silva (The Joyrun & Hurricane Cycling Team) have already shown they can win stages in stage races. Li Ning Star, with a large and competitive roster, could control the race and play multiple cards. Li Ning Star fields five riders with experience in Asian races, a factor that could prove decisive — source: PRE-RACE ANALYSIS Podium prediction: 1. Eduardo Sepúlveda, 2. Cameron Scott, 3. Jeroen Meijers.