VietNamNet Bridge – Laos's Vincent Ang won the 145km fifth stage of the ADC-Vinh Long Television Tour yesterday, Dec 29, but Nguyen Luu Thanh Nhan from Vinamit-HCM City claimed the overall lead.

Pedal power: Nguyen Luu Thanh Nhan from Vinamit-HCM City claimed the overall lead after the fifth stage of the ADC-Vinh Long Television Tour yesterday, Dec 29. — VNS Photo
The stage ran from Can Tho to Long Xuyen before finishing in Vinh Long. Cyclists from low-ranking teams such as Can Tho, Military Zone 7 and An Giang Plant Protection broke away early on in the race, but they were caught by riders from Laos and Holland on Can Tho Bridge.

Being 25km from the finish, 29 cyclists pulled away from the peloton, led by CCN's Loh Sea Keong, who held the yellow jersey after the fourth stage. He quickly fell away though, eventually finishing five minutes behind the leading pack, and it was Ang who made it to the finish line first in three hours, 29 minutes and 43 seconds, followed by Le Nguyet Minh from Sai Gon Plant Protection and Nguyen Tan Hoai from Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap.

Finishing in the leading group, Nhan replaced Keong as the overall leader with a time of 14:28.31. Laos's Soulivong Piempanya is in second with 14:28.40 and Ang rose to third with 14:28.43.

The team rankings remain unchanged, with Sai Gon Plant Protection in the lead followed by Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap and ADC-Vinh Long.

Cyclists will set out on the final stage from Vinh Long to My Tho and back to Vinh Long today. Sai Gon Plant Protection will be anxious to hold onto their team's advantage, while cyclists from Vinamit-HCM City will be doing their best to help Nhan on his way to the title.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News