Back to Racing in China: Strong Start for Team Nusantara at the Tour of Mentougou

The team made its return to competition this week at the Tour of Mentougou, marking the start of its late-season campaign in China. Set against the scenic and historic landscapes of western Beijing, the race has now been officially upgraded to a UCI 2.2 event, drawing a competitive field of continental and national squads.

Representing the team were Maulana Astnan, Farrel Alfaridzi, Temuulen Khadbatar, and Li Jiaquan, with four riders lining up from the six-man roster.

💪 Solid Opening in Stage 1

The opening stage provided a demanding start, combining long stretches of road and rolling terrain through Mentougou’s picturesque valleys.

It was a strong performance from Maulana Astnan, who finished 17th, part of the third pack of the front group after a tough day of racing. Temuulen Khadbatar followed closely in 30th place, showing solid form early in the tour.

Unfortunately, Farrel Alfaridzi was forced to abandon the race following a crash, while Li Jiaquan finished outside the time limit after mechanical issues.

After Stage 1, Astnan sits 17th in the Individual General Classification (GC) and 4th in the Asian Riders Classification, keeping the team’s colors visible near the top of the standings. However, with only two riders remaining, the squad is now out of contention for the Team Classification. 🙌

⚡ Stage 2: High-Speed Action in Mentougou City

Stage 2 saw the peloton take on a 117-kilometer urban circuit within Mentougou City, featuring 20 teams — including one UCI ProTeam, 16 Continental Teams, and 3 National Teams.

The race opened with relentless attacks, and a breakaway of 10 riders managed to gain a 40-second gap before the peloton reeled them back in during the final lap.

After nearly two hours of high-speed racing, the stage came down to a bunch sprint finish. Temuulen Khadbatar delivered a strong ride to finish 13th, while Astnan safely maintained his position in the main group — keeping his GC hopes alive heading into the final day.

⛰ All Eyes on the Final Stage

The decisive Stage 3 will take place at Zhaitang Cultural Park, featuring two major mountain passes expected to shape both the stage result and the overall General Classification.

Following the Tour of Mentougou, the team will continue its Chinese racing campaign with back-to-back events — the Tour of Guizhou and the Tour of Zhanghe — wrapping up three consecutive races to close out the 2025 season.

Stay tuned as our riders continue to push through the challenges of the Chinese race circuit — giving their all to finish the season on a strong note. 💥

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