Luka Mezgec from Slovenia's SAVA (SAK) came first on Monday in the fourth stage of the Tour de Qinghai Lake.

He puts on the green jersey for the second consecutive day that represents the best sprinter.

Hossein Alizadeh from Iran's Tabriz Petrochemical Team (TPT) retained his yellow jersey, which represents the leader of general classification.

The polka-dot jersey, award for the best climber, went to Victor Nino Corredor from Iran's Azad University Cross Team (AZC).

The fourth stage, spanning 148 kilometers, started at Qinghai Lake and finished at Chaka County of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, with a Hors categorie climb set up at an altitude of 3,817 meters above sea level.

This stage was harder than expected due to the changeable weather, steep mountain slopes and high altitudes along the route, Alizadeh said, adding that he was happy to have kept the yellow jersey.

"The Hors categorie climb gave those skilful in climbing a good leverage and helped them shake off the others," said the race's commentator Qiu Jijin.

This year's Tour de Qinghai Lake will last 14 days and cover 2,680 kilometers, with the average altitude reaching 2,391 meters above sea level and the maximum standing at 3,865 meters. For the first time, it will span northwest China's Qinghai Province, Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.