Beijing - Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen won the first stage of the Tour de Guangxi in southern China on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider crossed the line in 2hrs 21min 45sec ahead of Max Walscheid of Team Sunweb and Fabio Jakobsen of Quick-Step Floors.
Tuesday's stage featured a 107-kilometre (66 miles) route - two loops around the mostly flat coastal city of Beihai.
Cyclists are expected to face their biggest challenge on Stage 5, a 212km route from Liuzhou to Guilin taking in some rugged roads and three climbs.
The six-stage Tour of Guangxi, in an autonomous region bordering Vietnam, is the final stop on this year's UCI World Tour.
Standings from the first stage of the Tour of Guangxi, a 107.4km ride in Beihai on Tuesday:
1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED/LottoNL-Jumbo) 107.4km in 2hr 21min 45 sec
2. Max Walscheid (GER/Team Sunweb)
3 Fabio Jakobsen (NED/Quick-Step Floors)
4. Pascal Ackermann (GER/Bora-Hansgrohe)
5. Matteo Trentin (ITA/Mitchelton-Scott)