Stage 1: Shunyi Olympic Rowing Centre > Huairou Studio City, 190kms
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Juan Antonio Flecha found plenty of local support before his last major race...
The stage begins with a pass down both sides of the Olympic Rowing course, cheered by Chinese fans...
Sander Cordeel leads the early escape away - they'll gain almost nine minutes before the chase starts..!
Marco Pinotti hasn't retired yet - but this IS his last race of a long career...
The peloton is strung out in the Beijing countryside...
Cannondale is the team doing the first shift at the front...
Ryota Nishizono is taking the escape up the day's only climb...
FDJ takes its turn in front, the gap is coming down quickly with a sudden headwind...
Tony Martin has a one-piece skinsuit on today - he is planning a long escape like at the Vuelta..?
Andrey Amador is finding out that cycling in socks is hard work...
Ah, his right shoe has been fixed - life isn't so bad after all...
Wauter leads the quartet now, but the gap is less than five minutes...
Cameron Wurf is doing Cannondale's work, as he has done so often this season...
Local musicians serenade the Tour of Beijing by banging drums and smashing simbols..!
The peloton races through Beijing's wine-country without stopping for s drop at all..!
Cordeel has taken off alone with over 30-kilometres to go...
The peloton knows it's in China as it closes in on Cordeel with 15-kilometres to go...
Tom Peterson does his bit for Argos-Shimano, but Cordeel is still out there..!
Steve Cummings matches Peterson's work - and ups it too, Cordeel has now been caught...
