Tosh van der Sande got agonizingly close to his first professional victory when he was caught 400m from the finish on the final stage of the Tour of Beijing. Being disappointed with the outcome, the young Belgian had believed in his chances in the final lap of the race.

The final stage of the Tour of Beijing was a real thriller with Tosh Van der Sande in a leading role. The peloton started on the Tienanmen Square and then headed towards the local circuit where twelve laps of 7.5 kilometres had to be covered. The finish line was drawn at the Bird’s Nest Piazza. Tosh Van der Sande and Laurent Mangel attacked. The course was made for sprinters, still the two escapees could survive very long. With ten kilometres to go, they were still 1’55” ahead of the bunch.
 
After especially Garmin had done the work, Belkin came to the front. As they approached the finish other sprint teams joined the chase as well. In the final kilometre, van der Sande and his companion were caught. In the bunch sprint Greg Henderson came very close to the victory. Only Sacha Modolo crossed the finish line before the Lotto Belisol rider. Edvald Boasson Hagen was third. The overall victory in Beijing was for Philippe Gilbert.
 
“In the beginning Mangel and I didn’t have a high pace," van der Sande said. "We accelerated in the last four laps. They only caught us with about four hundred metres to go. I felt really strong and was confident to go to the finish and sprint with the two of us. It’s a pity.

“Normally when there are two guys in the break it’s useless, but when you're in it you have to try. In the beginning we were riding really easy and so was the bunch so they were in control then at four laps to go we went full gas and almost made it. I’m disappointed for sure but that is racing.”

“The last lap I heard we had one and a half minute lead. Then I believed in it. We went full gas. Winning the last race of the season would have been great. I have been close to the win a few times the past races. This motivates me for next season. I joined a break twice and could wear the KOM jersey for two days here, so I can be satisfied about the Tour of Beijing.”