The wide road of the tour of Chongming Island changes the dynamics of the race somewhat – being usually placed at the front most in the run-in to the sprint finish, but with four or more lanes at the disposal of the Peloton, different tactics will be possible in Thursday's opening stage. This is what Jayco AlUla did in Stage 1, and almost won the stage as Georgia Baker was beaten only by Mylène de Zoete (Ceratizit-WNT).

"The lead-out was very good! We had a slightly nervous plan, but the plan was to put the team behind and run late towards the finish line," Baker explained after the 108.9km stage.

This strategy worked to get Baker's debut Women's World Tour victory, with all five riders coming around the Peloton and before the race just before Fulham Rouge.

Then Chelsea Tan withdrew first and her work was done. The remaining 4 riders were on the outside of the final turn, and after 900 meters, the train was split through the corners. The gap opened up behind Jess Allen and Ingvildgåskjenn, so only Nina Kessler was left to guide Baker to the line.

Kessler took advantage of her experience to take refuge behind the Ceratizit-WNT duo of Marta Lach and De Zoete, who came forward in the last 500 meters and took Baker down at the forefront of the race.

In the end, de Zoete was able to come around in the final meters to win the stage, and Baker was happy to stand on the podium. Kessler took only one mountain point to secure the QOM jersey, but Baker is second in the Gc and four seconds behind De Zoete.

"Today was very perfect, very good," Baker said. "We couldn't ask for a better run from the team, and we were so close to pulling it away. We hope that we can win in the team because we have 2 more days to come."

For Jaco Baker, who finished third in down under on the first day of the Santos tour and overall second in the Bakritz, it was the third time this year that he was on the individual podium.

The tour of Chongming Island, which comes back after a 3-year hiatus, features a flat route that suits the sprinter. Friday's Stage 2 is the longest of the 3-day race from Shanghai to Chongming, which is 128.6 km.