[1] The race returned after three years of not being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Tim Wellens is the only past winner of the Tour starting, he won in 2017 after winning a two-up sprint at Mashan Nongla Scenic Spot, the same place stage 4 finishes this year.

A breakaway of five riders; Frederik Wandahl (Bora–Hansgrohe), Louis Barré (Arkéa–Samsic), Dries De Bondt (Alpecin–Deceuninck), Omer Goldstein (Israel–Premier Tech) and Julius Johansen (Intermarché–Circus–Wanty), got away early on.

Wandahl won both of the Mountain sprints to take the jersey for leading that classification going into the second stage.

Lotto–Dstny, Cofidis, Movistar Team and Bora–Hansgrohe all had their trains at the front coming into the sprint.