VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City's riders dominated yesterday's 74km stage from Soc Trang City to Vi Thanh Town in Hau Giang Province during the Return to the Countryside cycling tournament.

Nguyen Luu Thanh Nhan went on to finish first in one hour and 53.09 minutes, ahead of second placed team mate Ach Xa Na Qui and third placed Le Thanh Tung from the Chau Phu An Giang team.

Nhan, who gained 56 points, is currently the favourite to don the overall green jersey for best finish rider.

The second finish helped Qui get back on top with a total time of 11:02.22 after five days.

Although An Giang Plant Protection cyclists, Phan Phuoc Tai and Do Phuoc Tuan, took the lead 20km into the race, creating a gap of more than one minute, the young riders from HCM City and Military Zone 7 caught up with them 25km from the finish line.

Military Zone 7 currently lead the team category with an accumulated time of 33:09.59 ahead of second placed An Giang Plant Protection 1, 22sec behind. HCM City managed to gain on the leaders with around six minutes.

The tournament will conclude this morning when riders race 87km from Vi Thanh Town to Long Xuyen City in An Giang Province, completing a 30-lap (30km) stage around the city in the afternoon.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News