Timothy Dupont (C) of Tarteletto-Isorex team celebrates after crossing the finish line during stage 1 of the 22nd Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

Belgian cyclist Timothy Dupont of Tarteletto-Isorex won the first stage of the 2023 Tour of Qinghai Lake.

XINING, China, July 9 (Xinhua) -- With a surge just before the finish line, Belgian cyclist Timothy Dupont of Tarteletto-Isorex donned both the yellow and green jerseys, signifying the overall leader and the top sprinter respectively, at the inaugural stage of the 2023 Tour of Qinghai Lake on Sunday.

Timothy Dupont of Tarteletto-Isorex team wearing the yellow jersey, symbolizing the overall leader of the competition, celebrates during the award ceremony after stage 1 of the 22nd Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

The 109-kilometer circuit around Xining, the capital city of northwestern China's Qinghai province, has always been popular among sprinters.

Martin Pluto from the Netherlands' ABLOC CT and Attilio Viviani from Italy's Corratec Selle Italia secured the second and third spots, respectively. Thanakhan Chaiyasombat from the Thailand National Road Cycling Team earned the blue jersey, representing the best Asian rider.

Timothy Dupont of Tarteletto-Isorex team wearing the green sprinter's jersey during the award ceremony after stage 1 of the 22nd Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

The 2023 Tour of Qinghai Lake spans from July 9 to 16 across eight stages, covering a total distance of 1,384 kilometers. The second stage, stretching from Duoba to Guide and covering 132 kilometers, is scheduled for Monday.