October 12, 2025 — Riders faced the most brutal test yet in the 2025 VAUDE Tianlu Cycling Challenge on October 11, as Stage 3—the race’s “Queen Stage”—delivered the longest distance and highest elevation gain of the event.
A Stage of Extremes: Cold, Wind, and Thin Air
The route began with rolling hills before splitting: women tackled the 150km timed segment including the Cuola Mountain Pass, while men continued toward the 5,248-meter-high Gyatso La Pass—a 180km timed effort followed by a 50km transport to the finish due to deteriorating weather.
Morning sun in Shigatse gave way to biting winds and intense high-altitude sun exposure by afternoon. At the summit of Gyatso La, riders faced a harsh combination of freezing gusts and direct UV radiation, creating conditions that felt both frigid and scorching.
Men’s Race: A Battle Against the Mountain and Themselves
The final 30km climb to Gyatso La became a test of pure will. Riders battled relentless headwinds and a seemingly endless gradient, with some reduced to speeds of 6–7 km/h.
Defending champion Tursunjiang Buerlike (TC130) described reaching a breaking point: “I’ve never felt so desperate. The last kilometer took me six or seven minutes. My hands went numb, my legs moved on inertia alone.”
Team Carvico-APLP rider Wei Kui (TC271) echoed the sentiment: “That long, straight headwind climb broke me. But finishing moved me to tears—at that point, the result didn’t matter.”
The emotional toll showed at the finish line. VAUDE rider Julian Seemüller (TC265) collapsed in tears, his face and hair coated with frozen sweat. “I’m so desperate,” was all he could say.
Ten male riders did not finish, including members of the Kailas, Hong Kong, and Lin’an Zhexi Tianlu teams.
Race Dynamics Shift After Time Penalties
The stage began tactically, with JiaXueLong Bike Light Team launching an attack at 40km that sent Chilie Nima (TC266) on a 140km solo breakaway to take the stage win.
However, post-race protests led to two-hour penalties for both Jiang Village Luo (TC276) and Tursunjiang due to rule violations. The penalties reshuffled the general classification, moving Chilie Nima into first overall, followed by Artem and Jiang Village Luo.
Women’s Race: Solo Efforts Define the Day
DYN Helmet Team rider Chen Meiyi (TC268) claimed her third consecutive stage win with a stunning 70km solo break. After staying with the lead men’s group for 40km, she broke away and rode alone to the finish.
“I knew I had to ride my own race,” Chen said. “The loneliness was challenging, but it became my strength.”
Individual rider Zhou Huiqian (TC193) finished second after also choosing to ride solo, while Zhang Yue (TC190) returned to the podium in third after a determined effort.
Unsung Heroes and Comeback Stories
Several riders overcame significant challenges to finish. Zheng Lin (TC236), who battled altitude sickness from the first day, completed her third consecutive stage despite the difficulties.
Liv team rider Wang Cheng (TC253) finished Stage 3 despite injuries from an earlier collision with a pickup truck. Teammate Xie Minyi, who withdrew earlier due to altitude sickness, returned to support the team as part of the logistics crew.
One Stage Remains
With the Queen Stage complete, riders now face the final push to Everest Base Camp. After days of extreme conditions and emotional challenges, the 2025 VAUDE Tianlu has already proven to be a test not just of physical endurance, but of the human spirit’s ability to transform impossibility into achievement.
