The Tour of Taihu Lake General Classification is a 2.1-category stage race set against a mountain profile, rewarding riders with sustained climbing ability and the capacity to handle punchy, technical terrain across multiple days. The race takes place in September 2026 in China and, while specific stage details are not yet available, the mountain designation signals that the overall winner will almost certainly be determined on the ascents. No stages have yet been run, leaving the classification entirely open ahead of the first day of racing.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Nicolás Alustiza is the pick of this field on a mountain GC. He leads the numerically strongest team in the race, holds the best climbing credentials, and faces no rider who has convincingly outperformed him on comparable terrain this season. Barring illness or misfortune, he is the man to beat throughout the week.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Nicolás Alustiza is the strongest pure climber in this field and leads the Euskaltel-Euskadi squad, which arrives with notable numerical strength. Although no similar-profile wins stand out in recent months, his climbing ability is the highest in the startlist and he heads into this GC race as the most well-rounded mountain option available.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Alexander Salby's top-3 result in a similar-profile race is the most relevant piece of recent form in this entire preview, and his confirmed race targeting makes him a serious contender. Xabier Isasa provides Euskaltel with a dangerous alternative card to play, his outstanding hills rating potentially decisive if the race features shorter, sharper climbs rather than long Alpine-style drags.
Li Ning Star
Li Ning Star
Alexander Salby is the only rider in this field with a top-3 result in a similar-profile race over the last 90 days, giving him a meaningful edge in proven mountain form. His external schedule confirms he is targeting this race, and as a Rare-card rider with solid climbing, he is a genuine threat to the Euskaltel bloc.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Xabier Isasa combines strong climbing with an impressive hills rating, making him well-suited to the undulating mountain profile of Taihu Lake. He offers Euskaltel-Euskadi a genuine backup GC option and could challenge for the podium if the race comes down to a series of punchy climbs.
★★
Dark Horses
Jordi López's elite hills profile makes him a compelling dark horse if the Taihu Lake stages favour punchy finishes over pure grinders. Yago Aguirre adds further depth to the Euskaltel team and could find himself promoted to leadership should his teammates falter. Liam Walsh brings an interesting mix of sprint and climbing that could make him dangerous in a reduced group finish at the end of a mountain stage.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Jordi López possesses the best hills rating in the entire startlist, which could prove decisive on punchy, rolling mountain terrain rather than sustained alpine gradients. He adds another dangerous option to an already deep Euskaltel lineup.
CCACHE x BODYWRAP
CCACHE x BODYWRAP
Liam Walsh is confirmed to be targeting this race per his upcoming schedule and arrives as a Rare-card rider with a sharp sprint to complement reasonable climbing legs. Should the GC finish on a reduced front group with a punchy finale, he has the finishing punch to exploit the situation.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Yago Aguirre is a capable climber who fits naturally into Euskaltel-Euskadi's collective GC strategy and could emerge as a protected leader if circumstances demand. His profile suits this mountain race and he should not be dismissed as a sleeper contender.
★
Ones to Watch
The four outsiders — Muñoz, Veistroffer, Hennequin, and Verburg — represent a range of longshots worth tracking for different reasons. Muñoz is the best-credentialed of the group on pure climbing metrics, while Hennequin and Walsh both arrive with their sights set on this race per confirmed schedules. Veistroffer's activity in similar-profile events, despite modest results, shows experience on comparable terrain, and any of this quartet could feature if the GC favourites cancel each other out.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Baptiste Veistroffer has been active in similar-profile races recently without threatening the top positions, but his high hills and cobbles ratings suggest an all-terrain rider who could come alive on technical mountain roads. An unlikely GC winner, but worth watching for any breakaway opportunities.
Soudal Quick-Step DT
Soudal Quick-Step DT
Hodei Muñoz of Soudal Quick-Step brings a respectable hills rating and may be the strongest rider outside the dominant Euskaltel contingent on pure climbing credentials. He is a speculative pick in a field where the Basque squad holds most of the cards.
Parkhotel Valkenburg
Parkhotel Valkenburg
Luke Verburg rounds out the selection as a reliable Parkhotel Valkenburg representative with modest climbing credentials relative to this field. He is unlikely to challenge for the overall title but represents a watching brief in a GC contest where upsets are always possible.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Paul Hennequin is confirmed to be targeting this race on his schedule and arrives as a Rare-card rider with a strong sprint, though his climbing profile is the weakest among the top picks. He is best viewed as an outside GC option who could capitalise if the race is decided by a less severe finishing climb.
Verdict
Nicolás Alustiza enters as the clear favourite, leading a dominant Euskaltel-Euskadi squad that could control the race from the front, while Alexander Salby — the only rider to have posted a top-3 in a similar-profile race in the past 90 days — stands as the most dangerous external challenger.