Hannah Burns (Canyon-SRAM) finished second in the 2018 Tour of Guangxi and returns to this year's event with the goal of finishing one step higher on the podium in Guilin.This one-day race on October 22 will conclude the Women's World Tour and will give the racers to secure a series victory.

"We had some good races last year and we want to finish the year with a result we can be proud of," Barnes said in a team press release.

"It's a pretty long race and there's a lot going on. The first 90km is flat and easy, then it's uphill. Last year there was some action, although it was brought to a group sprint."

The women's race is 146 km, starting and finishing in Guilin, on the same course as last year. The route is mainly flat, but there are two back-to-back climbs, the second of which peaks at the 104km mark, followed by a descent and then flat for the 30km to the finish.

Last year, Cuba's Arlenis Sierra (Astana) won the sprint final ahead of Burns and Sara Mustonen (Experza Footlogix).

Barnes was supported by Canyon-SRAM teammates Tanya Ellas, Rotem Gafinowitz, Ella Harris, Hannah Ludwig, and Krista Riffel.

"It's the same course as last year, so I expect a similar race," Riffel said.

"It's the last World Tour race of the season, so even though many of the riders are enjoying their off-season, the level will still be high. The two climbs in the middle of the race will determine the composition of the group that will go for the win.

The Tour of Guangxi marks the end of the 2019 Women's World Tour. The series is currently led by Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott), who is only five points behind Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) and 170 points behind third place Lorena Wiebes (Parkhotel Valkenburg). Van Vleuten is not registered for the race in China, so the series title remains undecided.