JINAN, East China, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The host Shandong Province embraced the long awaited gold medal in women's road cycling trial Sunday at 11th Chinese National Games, beating silver medalist Liaoning by 45 seconds.

    The Shandong quartet started the 50-kilometer race behind their archrival Jiangsu, champion of last National Games, but took the lead in the middle of the tour.

    The Shandong squad won the race with one hour five minutes and 48.479 seconds.

    Jiangsu, which was considered the gold medal hopeful with Asian champion Li Meifang, finished the fourth. Liaoning rode to the second with 1:06:34.089, followed by Xinjiang 1:06:48.547.

    "We have been waiting for the day for a long time," said Yang Min from Shandong. "We were the runner-up every time in this event at the National Games. Today, we put in strong performances."