HA NOI — Le Van Dong of Can Tho won the eighth stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday, while Nguyen Mai Hung from Sai Gon Plant Protection retained the yellow jersey.

The 90km from Pleiku City in Gia Lai Province to Dak To District in Kon Tum Province challenged riders with hilly terrain.

After the first 10km, youngster Huynh Thanh Tung of Military Zone 7 escaped from the pack and opened up a lead, and it wasn't until the 40km mark that Dong, teammate Quach Tinh Toan and four others overtook him.With 10km to go, the pelaton had bunched back up and, and it was left to Dong, Vo Van Tuan and Dang Thanh Thai of the Dong Nai team to decide the stage, with Dong crossing the finish line in front with a time of 2:13.25.

Yellow jersey holder Hung came in 27sec later, enough for him to retain the overall lead with an overall time of 21:55.25, 17sec ahead of second place Nguyen Truong Tai of Domesco Dong Thap and 25sec faster than Tran Thanh Phu of Military Zone 7.

Domesco Dong Thap top the team event with a combined time of 65:47.01, followed by An Giang Plant Protection and Military Zone 7.

Le Van Duan of Sai Gon Plant Protection has the sprint crown firmly in his sights with 80 points, while Le Ngoc Son of Domesco Dong Thap is leading the race to be crowned King of the Mountain.

Today's ninth stage from Pleiku City to Buon Ma Thuot City will cover 182km. — VNS