HAIKOU, China, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Italian rider Marco Zanotti from Monkey Town cycling team got his first stage victory in the eighth stage at 2017 Tour of Hainan.
This stage starts from Wuzhishan to Lingshui covering 197.4km. Benjami Prades from UKYO, Marc De Maar from China Hengxiang and Sam Crome from Isowhey Sports Swisswellness makes up the leading group. However, because of the mountain rides, previous stage winner Jakub Mareczko fell behind early on and Wilier Triestina cycling team lost the initiatives as well.
At the end of the race, Marco Zanotti and Marco Maronese from Bardiani-CSF overtook Emils Liepins from Delko Marseille KTM with a slight advantage, and Zanotti sprints through the finishing line first.
After Saturday's race, Jacopo Mosca still keeps the yellow jersey, Liu Jianpeng keeps the blue jersey representing the best Asian rider and Mareczko retains the green jersey as the best sprinter.
"So happy for winning this champion today. I'm out of the peak form due to my age, but I would try every effort in the last stage." Zanotti told the press.
The ninth and the last stage of this year's Tour of Hainan will be held on Sunday, with a total distance of 153.8km from Lingshui to Wanning-Xinglong.
