8th Tour of South China Sea - 2.5

China, December 25, 2003 - January 1, 2004

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The two Hong Kong teams in Christmas style after the press conference.
Some riders from the Shangai selection starting in the criterium.
High buildings next to the race course in Hong Kong.
The start and finish bow of the Tour of South China Sea.
The criterium was held along a river.
The podium after the first stage: Brett Aitken (2nd), Russian Champion Oleg Grishkin (1st) and Kam Po Wong (3rd)

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The 'big three' on the front row L to R: Brett Aitken in the red points jersey, Oleg Grishkin in yellow and Kam Po Wong in the blue Asian rider classification outfit.
Before the start with the Hong Kong skyline behind the riders. This is where the Hong Kong Cycle Classic will be on the 4th of January.
The group in Hong Kong on its way to Tsing Yi

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The VIPs had a nice view over the racecourse.
Peter Milostic (points) and Kam Po Wong (yellow jersey) at the start of stage 3 will we go forward or backward today?
The field stayed together for a long time on the fast course in Shenzhen during stage 3 of the Tour of the South China Sea
The four riders that made the long break Rob Conijn (Marco Polo amateurs, with Song (Guangdong) taking a turn, followed by King Nin Lau (Hong Kong) and the tall Stanislav Kozubek (Ducla Praha).
The field sprint with winner Koudentsov in the middle
The winners (L to R): Kam Po Wong (Tour leader), Oleg Grishkin (points leader and second in the stage), Serguei Koudentsov (stage winner) and Brett Aitken (third in the stage)

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The three riders in leading jerseys before the 4th stage Tsoi Chun Ming in blue (best Asian rider, wearing it because Wong is in Yellow), Wong Kam Po (leader on GC) and Oleg Grishkin (points leader in red).
No new jersey available! Sun Yanhao crashed yesterday and had to start in the torn clothes today.
The stage was started with balloons, flowers and beautiful girls.
The team staff of the CMS Marco Polo amateurs team from Hong Kong see the field pass by. Team director Louis Lui designed some great looking clothes.
The Kazak riders where eager for the intermediate sprint points.
Tim Decker (L) and Cameron Hughes (R) lead the group that got caught on the line by the Russian train.

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The field takes off for the 5th stage
Riders pass a typical Chinese gate in stage 5 of the Tour of the South China Sea
Oleg Grishkin wins in yellow Aitken second in red and Koudentsov taking third in the middle of them.
A champagne party
The strongest man in the race on the podium

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

Pre-race chaos the pit at the GP Racing Circuit in Zhuhai
Where is Brett Aitken?
The leading group that almost made it but never had a chance
The express train from Moscow deposited Oleg Grishkin to the line for another victory

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The start was in front of the gate towards the A-Ma monument. 153 and 155 are Sipeky and Gazi from the team of the stage winner, Maros Kovac.
The winning sprint of Kovac just in front of Cameron Hughes.
Happy New Year from the World Wide Cycling Team!

Images by Francis Cerny/Nikon Camera

The crash with one lap to go on both sides of the road
The race leader Oleg Grishkin taking his responsibility.
The first three of the stage Martin Blaha, Sergey Koudentsov and Felix Rohrbach enjoying their champagne
The podium with the two strongest riders in the race, Oleg Grishkin and Kam Po Wong
A Happy New Year from Kam Po Wong with his young support from the Pocari Sweat national team and the Hong Kong Sports Institute team.