The Tour of Hainan Road Cycling Race 2007 kicked off on Saturday, Dennis Galimzyanov, a cyclist from Russia, won the photogenic prologue in the first-day race.

The second Tour of Hainan got off to a speedy start, the 3km prologue race. 105 racers from 24 countries and regions took part in this short individual time trial race in Sanya, China's southmost city, to determine the winner of the first yellow jersey.

Galimzyanov also became the first rider to win the yellow jersey in the whole race, completing the track in just three minutes, 45.082 seconds, and got the yellow jersey.

Following him was China's Ma Haijun with 3:45.279. Ma got the blue jersey for the best Asia riders individual.

The tour will go around the whole tropical island of Hainan, and the stage race will start Sunday from Sanya City.

In order to increase the difficulty of the circuit and to enhance the challenge of match section, the route adopts anti- clockwise design, and increases the mountain road course. Meanwhile, to show the new outlook of more cities and counties, urban riding is increased.

The Tour of Hainan has been upgraded to intercontinental 2.1 in the International Cycling Union this year. The total award for this tour is also raised from last edition's US$100,000 to US$150,000, and US$18,000 will be for the champion.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2007)