体坛英语新闻：Ukraine cyclist Kononenko wins Tour of Fuzhou opening stage

FUZHOU, China, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Mykhaylo Kononenko from Ukraine Kolss cycling team clocked in two hours 32 minutes and 43 seconds to win the opening stage of Tour of Fuzhou on Wednesday, wearing the first yellow jersey in the annual event since 2012.

The first stage covered a distance of 107.4kms, with the tough mountain climbing of last 10 kms.

Kononenko crossed the finish line first, by half a bike ahead of Stanislau Bazhkou from Belarus Minsk cycling club and Morey Drew from Malaysian Terengganu cycling team.

The Ukraine rider also won the green jersey as the best sprinter.

Bazhkou was awarded polka-dot jersey as the best climber and the white jersey went to Fung Ka Hoo from Hong Kong, China, as the best Chinese rider.

The top 3 teams after the first stage are Ukraine Kolss, St George Continental and Hong Kong, China.

Kononenko told Xinhua he just finished the nine-stage Tour of Hainan three days ago and then turned to Fuzhou.

"I did not ride to my satisfaction in my last tour, especially the final stage of Hainan. I was a bit disappointed," Kononenko said, "but I'm happy that I have a good start here with my teammates' support today."

As a level 2.1 race of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Tour of Fuzhou has attracted 119 riders of 22 teams from 13 countries and regions.

The five-day race covers the total distance of 589.4 kms, and the second stage will take place on Thursday in Changle for a distance of 109.2 kms.