Simeoni Filippo, second stage winner of Tour de Qinghai Lake international cycling race, said on Monday that the high altitude climate will not affect his personal strength.

The 34-year-old Swiss, who won a stage in Tour of Spain last year, covered a hilly, twisting course in three hours 28 minutes 19 seconds to beat teammate Fischer Murilo by eight seconds on the route overlooking fascinating Qinghai Lake, China's biggest salt lake.

Riders participating in the 2005 Tour de Qinghai Lake come from 27 countries and regions. Half of the 20 teams are competing in the race for the first time.

Tour de Qinghai Lake is a cycling race held at the highest altitude in the world, and most of the stages are above 3000 kilometers above the sea level.

It's a big challenge for the riders to adapt to the high altitude. During last three races, lots of riders quit for the severe climate.

"It's a hard race to climb up the 3,400-meter-high Qinghai Lake above sea level, but it's great for me to sprint out as a small group catching up and it's a wonderful experience for my first race here," said Simeoni,

"After the two stages' adaptation, I believe my strength won't be affected by the climate. "

Source: Xinhua