HA NOI — Le Van Duan of Sai Gon Plant Protection won the eleventh stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday.

He also earns 15 points from the stage to retain the green jersey.

The stage took the riders on five laps around the city of Nha Trang, a distance of 66km.

Huynh Thanh Tung of Military Zone 7 escaped from the pack after the second lap, but the peloton gradually reeled him in, and it was Duan who crossed the finish line first in a time of 1:32.41 and an average speed of 42.72km/h. He was followed by Do Tuan Anh of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap and Phan Thanh Dien of An Giang Plant Protection.

Dien's teammate Mai Nguyen Hung retained the yellow jersey with an overall time of 33:24.31. Nguyen Truong Tai of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap and Tran Thanh Phu of Military Zone 7 are in second and third places on 33:24.48 and 33:24.56, respectively.

In the team event, Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap are riding high with an overall time of 100:14.19, followed by An Giang Plant Protection (100:14.45) and Military Zone 7 (100:16.14).

This stage is likely to be pivotal to the outcome of the tour. Le Ngoc Son of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap holds the red jersey for the King of the Mountains title with 13 points, but is likely to face stiff competition from Tran Le Minh Tuan of Military Zone 7 (11 points) and Nguyen Luu Thanh Nhan of HCM City Vinamit (10 points). The Sai Gon Plant Protection team will be focusing on ensuring Hung finishes in the leading group, with only 17sec separating him and second-placed Tai.

Cyclists will have a day off today and continue on the 137km twelfth stage from Nha Trang to Da Lat tomorrow. — VNS