Race Across Tibet S3: Gaciron Dominance Continues: Stage 3 Win & Solid Team Lead!

Oct 12, 2025 by Gaciron

Race Across Tibet S3: Gaciron Lights Rider Cements Overall Lead, Team Holds Strong at the Front!

In the grueling third stage of the 2025 Ride Across Tibet: Everest Extreme Cycling Challenge, the Gaciron Lights Team has delivered an outstanding performance. Our rider has taken the coveted top position in the individual GENERAL CLASSIFICATION following this pivotal stage.

This stellar result ensures that the Gaciron Lights Team maintains its position at the forefront of the team rankings, solidifying its status as the squad to beat in this extreme high-altitude race.

 

Stage 3 Recap: The Queen Stage

The third stage, from Shigatse to Baiba, was rightfully dubbed the "Queen Stage" of the entire event. It was not only the longest in distance but also the most demanding in terms of elevation, with a grueling 2,200 meters of cumulative climbing.

The first half of the stage, with its continuous rolling terrain, tested the riders' rhythm and pacing. However, the difficulty increased dramatically in the second half. While all riders faced the challenge of the Tsa La Pass, the men's field was tasked with an additional formidable climb: the ascent to the Gatsa La Pass, situated at a breathtaking 5,248 meters above sea level.

Before dawn, riders faced sub-zero temperatures and poor visibility. To navigate the complex road conditions and ensure safety, all riders and the event's support teams were uniformly equipped with our classic lighting products: the RAPTOR-1800 off-road front light, the XIAOMAN-1000 multi-function integrated professional front light, and the LOOP-100 smart magnetic brake carbon fiber tail light.

On the high plateau, the weather is always the greatest variable. Before first light, the riders set out from the streets of Shigatse, their bike lights piercing the darkness. As the first rays of morning sun appeared, the air still held a biting cold. But every rider knew deep down—the true test lay hidden within every climb that was to come.

At around the 40-kilometer mark, the Gaciron team seized the initiative. Within the peloton, Tursunjan created a crucial gap, enabling his teammate Chilenima (TC266) to launch a successful breakaway. Chilenima then embarked on an astonishing 140-kilometer solo ride, maintaining his lead all the way to the finish line to claim a spectacular victory in Stage 3.

The Gatsa La Pass, known as the "Land of Despair," sits at a daunting 5,248 meters and served as the timed finish for the men's category. The final approach was a soul-crushing, nearly 30-kilometer-long climb. Riders battled a relentless headwind carrying stinging sand, with the howling gale creating a sensation described by one as "like someone was pulling your clothes from behind as you tried to run forward." The seemingly endless, gradual slope was a brutal test of will, steadily sapping strength.

Due to deteriorating weather, the race organization made a critical safety decision: the 50-kilometer ride from the pass to the original finish was canceled, and riders were transported instead. Yet, the sheer intensity of the effort was undeniable, with some athletes collapsing at the line and weeping openly, one exclaiming, "I've never ridden a race this despairing." This "Queen Stage" lived up to its reputation, claiming the highest number of DNFs (Did Not Finish) in the men's field, with 10 riders ultimately unable to conquer the Gatsa La Pass.

Gaciron rider Tursunjan Burelik (TC130) experienced an out-of-body experience on that climb. "I've been cycling and skiing for years, but I felt genuine despair for the first time," he shared. "The final kilometer took me six or seven minutes to conquer. My hands were numb from the cold, and my legs were turning the pedals purely by inertia. I sat in the car for a long, long time afterward before I could even form a complete sentence."

It was in those final, brutal kilometers that he learned a profound lesson: "Tenacious willpower can conquer any peak in the world. The most formidable enemy is the lack of a steadfast belief."

Stage 4 Road Book: Baiba - Everest Base Camp (EBC)
Date: Day 4, October 12

Route Profile
The final stage is the shortest in distance but includes two demanding climbs, requiring riders to conserve energy for a powerful finish. It features a 13 km long ascent to the Jiawula Pass (Gyatso La), the race's second KOM (King of the Mountain) point. After a 29 km untimed descent, riders face the ultimate challenge: a grueling 43 km continuous climb to the final finish line at Everest Base Camp.

Key Highlights

  • The route enters through the North Gate of Mount Everest.

  • The famous "108 Bends" lead up to the 5,210-meter Jiawula Pass, offering a potential view of five 8,000-meter peaks.

  • The final climb proceeds from the new Everest Tourist Town directly to Everest Base Camp.

Important Notes

  • Total Distance: 103 km (includes ceremonial ride and 29 km untimed descent).

  • Support Stations: At 33 km (Jiawula Pass) and 61 km (Everest Tourist Town).

  • KOM Point: Jiawula Pass.

  • Safety: Control your speed on the long descent.