The 139km stage from Thanh Hoa to Nghe An on the morning of April 7 unfolded largely without surprises. However, the race took a dramatic turn near the finish, placing Nguyen Van Binh at risk of an early exit.

As the main peloton accelerated into a final sprint, riders pushed hard toward the line. In the chaos, the 23-year-old cyclist collided directly with an advertising board and fell heavily onto the road. He was immediately taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

Initial reports from the Ho Chi Minh City team indicate that Nguyen Van Binh sustained facial and knee injuries. His ability to continue in the race will depend on further medical examinations scheduled later that day.

While the incident dominated attention, the race itself saw a controlled performance from the leading teams. Supported effectively by his teammates, Belarusian rider Marchuk Dzianis crossed the finish line first. He successfully defended the yellow jersey and extended his lead in the green jersey classification for the best sprinter.

The result also helped Dong Nai maintain their lead in the team standings.

The competition continues on April 8 with stage 6, a 52km circuit around Ho Chi Minh Square in Vinh, Nghe An.

Duy Nguyen