Haussler claims stage

The Tour of Beijing is China's first ProTour stage race and the opening road stage saw the Australian from (Garmin-Cervelo) beat the Russian sprinter from Katusha by the narrowest of margins.

Rabobank's Theo Bos was third in the gallop to the line at the end of the 137km stage that saw the riders travel from Bird's Nest to Men Tou Gou.

A sprint finish always looked likely with a cat-3 climb, ridden four times as part of a finishing circuit, not causing too much problems to the riders on an otherwise short, flat stage.

Recently crowned world time trial champion Tony Martin retains the overall lead after his victory against the clock on Wednesday.

The British quartet of David Millar and Team Sky's Alex Dowsett, Chris Froome and Steven Cummings follow on GC.

The five-stage race runs until Sunday.