Duan rides to third stage of cycling tour

Finishing line: Le Van Duan of Eximbank HCM City 1 claims the third stage of the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament yesterday.

HCM City — Le Van Duan of Eximbank HCM City 1 won the third stage of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Cycling Tournament yesterday, while his teammate Dinh Quoc Viet retained the yellow jersey.

The 137km stage from Cao Lanh City to Soc Trang City saw great efforts by cyclists from Eximbank HCM City to maintain their position in the individual and team rankings. After the first 15km, eight cyclists broke away from the pack, and opened up a lead of two minutes.

With 40km to go, cyclists from Eximbank HCM City reeled in the leading group, and they headed for the finish together where Duan crossed the line first in a time of 3:25.06. Nguyen Van Tai  of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 1 and Nguyen Thanh Tam of An Giang Plant Protection 1 came in second and third.

Finishing the stage in the leading group, Viet retained the yellow jersey with an overall time of 8:01.12, followed by Trinh Phat Dat of An Giang Plant Protection. Tai's second place finish was enough to push him up to third in the overall standings.

The team competition remained unchanged, with Eximbank HCM City 2 in first place, followed by the two teams from Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap.

Cyclists will compete on the 120km fourth stage from Soc Trang City to Ca Mau City today. — VNS