VietNamNet Bridge – Cyclists continued the fifth stage of the National Women's Open Cycling Tournament – An Giang Television Cup – yesterday, July 14, veteran Phan Thi Thuy Trang from the An Giang Plant Protection team, crossing the finish line in first place.

Trang beat close rivals Nguyen Phan Ngoc Trang from the Binh Duong Water Supply-Drainage and Environment team as well as Choi Hye-kyeong from the South Korean team in a time of two hours, 39 minutes and 26 seconds at an average speed of 33.117 kmph.

The 88km fifth stage ran from Dong Thap Province's Cao Lanh City to Can Tho Province's Can Tho city.

Her win afforded Trang the opportunity to seize the yellow jersey from South Korean You Jina for the best overall time of 11:33.53 following five stages, Choi and Ngoc Trang finishing as runners-up.

You managed to retain the green jersey as best sprinter with 53 points, followed by Nguyen Thuy Dung from the Binh Duong Water Supply-Drainage and Environment team (45 points) and Trang (33 points).

Due to You's performance, the South Koreans currently lead the team race with a combined time of 34:42.50, followed by Binh Duong Water Supply-Drainage and Environment and An Giang Plant Protection team.

Today, cyclists are set to compete in the penultimate 121km stage of the race, to take place from Can Tho city to Kien Giang Province's Rach Gia city.

The 600km tour attracted the participation of 65 athletes from 13 domestic and foreign teams, including two teams from Malaysia and South Korea.

Tournament winners will be awarded with VND150 million (US$7,140) in prizes.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News