China made a clean sweep of Tuesday's Asian Games cycling events, winning both men's and women's individual time trials on the Al-Khor road course.

China's Song Baoqing (L) and Li Meifang celebrate after winning the gold medal in the men's and women's road cycling individual time trial finals at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 5, 2006. [Reuters]

Li Meifang retained her crown over the 23.8km distance, finishing 52 seconds clear of her nearest rival, while newcomer Song Baoquing took an unexpected first career title in the men's race on the flat roads of the Qatari capital.

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China have won every women's time trial road race since the sport made its Asian Games debut in 1990.

The 28-year-old broke away from the pack at the halfway stage and finished in a time of 31 minutes, 17 seconds. Kazakhstan's Zulfiya Zabirova finished second and South Korea's Lee Min-hye third.

"The road feels good, the surface of the road was beautiful," she said.

Zabirova said the standard of competition was world class and admitted being surprised by Li's performance.

"The fight was between us," said Zabirova, whose silver medal was Kazakhstan's first on the road at the Asian Games.

"I've seen her a few times at international competitions, but she has never performed like this."

Song claimed his maiden international title over the 44.8-kilometre course, winning in 55 minutes, 33 seconds.

Kyrgyzstan's Evgeny Vakker took the silver and Kazakhstan's Andrey Mizurov the bronze.

Song, 25, said his victory came as a surprise.

"In the beginning I was thinking of being in the top three, but I got first place so I'm happy," he said.