Race Across Tibet S2: Gaciron Lights Team Claims 2nd & 3rd Individually, Secures Team Victory!

Oct 11, 2025 by Gaciron

Race Across Tibet S2: Gaciron Lights Team Secures Strong Positions, Holds Overall Lead

In the grueling second stage of the 2025 Ride Across Tibet: Everest Extreme Cycling Challenge, the Gaciron Lights Team delivered a powerful team performance, reinforcing their dominance in the overall standings.

The team's riders achieved impressive individual placements in Stage 2: Chilenima finished 2nd, while Tursunjan Burelik claimed 3rd. Teammate Zhang Tao also rode strong, securing a 5th place finish.

More importantly, this collective effort has allowed the Gaciron Lights Team to maintain the top position in the overall team classification.

Stage 2 Recap: The Deceptive Challenge

After a stunning opening day double – claiming both the individual and team victories – we held the overall lead.

On October 10th, the race entered its second stage, starting from Chayang Cuo Scenic Area. The first five kilometers presented a continuous climb to the day's highest point at 5,046 meters, followed by a long descent that brought the altitude down to around 3,800 meters.

Many had pegged this stage as a potential "recovery day," with its average altitude of 4,000 meters and a lack of steep slopes. However, the reality of riding it revealed the truth: the plateau's "deceptive challenge" is a force that never lets up.

Last night, we camped on a highland at 4,800 meters. Headaches and insomnia were our constant companions through the long, cold night. At dawn, a biting wind cut through our cycling jerseys. By scorching noon, the relentless sun baked the thin air into a furnace. The day was a brutal pendulum swing—from freezing to burning, from numbness to searing heat.

Our bodies were pushed to the absolute limit, our wills teetering on the edge of collapse. Today's stage belonged not to the strongest, but to those who simply refused to give up.

A Race Against the Clock and Tactics

Unforeseen circumstances forced a major change for Stage 2: riders would start alone against the clock, set off in reverse order of their Stage 1 ranking. This placed our day one champion, Tursunjan Burelik (TC130), as the final rider to start.

He immediately unleashed a relentless pursuit, hunting down the riders ahead with the goal of linking up with teammate Chilenima (TC266). But the plan hit a snag. Chilenima was already embroiled in an intense, head-to-head battle with Jiacun Luobu (TC276) ahead. Committed to his own fight, he couldn't afford to slow down, leaving Tursunjan to wage his charge up the mountain largely alone.

Due to force majeure, Stage 2 of the Ride Across Tibet was conducted in an individual time trial format, with riders starting sequentially. The starting order was reversed based on Stage 1 results, meaning our rider, Tursunjan Burelik (TC130), as the first stage's winner, was the last man to roll down the ramp.

Once on the course, Tursunjan launched a powerful chase in an effort to bridge the gap and join forces with his teammate, Chilenima (TC266). However, a tactical battle on the road prevented their reunion. At that time, Chilenima was fully engaged, locked in a fierce duel with the rider ahead, Jiacun Luobu (TC276), and was unable to wait for his teammate.

Stage 3 Road Book: Shigatse - Baiba
Date: Day 3, October 11

Route Profile
This stage is the longest of the entire race and features the highest cumulative elevation gain (approximately 2,200 meters). The first half consists mainly of rolling terrain, while the second half presents two major climbs: the Tsa La Pass at the 108 km mark, followed by the Gatsa La Pass at 180 km.

Key Highlights

  • The route passes through Lhatse, renowned as the "Hometown of Tibetan Daggers," a craft recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

  • Riders will pass the G318 National Highway 5,000 km Monument (The full G318 spans 5,476 km from Shanghai to Zhangmu, Shigatse).

  • Weather permitting, distant snow-capped peaks are visible from the Everest Viewing Platform in Gatse Township.

Important Notes

  • Total Distance: 230 km

  • Support Station: Located at 98 km, in Qianggon Village (site of the G318 5,000 km Monument).

  • Timed Finish:

    • Women's Category: At 150 km, Lhatse Toeshe People's Square.

    • Men's Category: At 180 km, Gatsa La Pass.

  • After their timed finish, women riders may choose to continue cycling to the stage end or take a transfer vehicle. All men must continue to the final finish line.