SHANGHAI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Poland's Marta Lach from the Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team was crowned in the 2024 Tour of Chongming Island here on Thursday.

The 27-year-old finished in two hours, 40 minutes and 39 seconds to win the third stage. With an aggregate time of eight hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds after three stages, Lach replaced her teammate, Dutch rider Mylene de Zoete, to become the eventual owner of the yellow jersey with an eight-second advantage.

Fueled by their top two individual riders, Ceratizit-WNT clinched the team title.

Unlike the previous two stages, the third stage featured a circuit race including one 30.9-kilometer big circle and seven 11.5-kilometer small circles.

"We prepared that we will go for the win in the general classification and then also for the second and third places. The best idea was to put Kathrin [Schweinberger], our fourth rider in GC before this stage on the podium. But it didn't work out. Anyway, we have first and second places in the team, and then we are very happy," said Lach, adding that it was a special moment for her to earn the yellow jersey.

"It never happened in my life before to win an award. I mean I won the stages, but I never won the general classification. Actually, I managed to do this. There's also some luck. Thanks to the whole team. Without them, it wouldn't be possible," she said.

Lach, who will join Team SD Worx-Protime for the next three years, regards Chongming as her lucky place. "I really liked to race here already last year. If it is possible, I would like to come back," she said. Enditem

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