Last-gasp finish: Le Van Duan (right) passes Ivan Dominguez over the last few metres of the third stage of the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament. — VNS Photo Hai Van

HA NOI (VNS)— Yesterday saw Le Van Duan win the third stage of the region's premier cycling event. However, Truong Nguyen Thanh Nhan hung on to his yellow jersey as overall leader of the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament.

Duan of Eximbank HCM City finished the 86km leg from Cao Lanh City in Dong Thap Province to Can Tho City in a time of 2hr 2.20min, recording an average speed of 42.180kmph.

The An Giang Plant Protection and ADC-Vinh Long Television team members took turn to keep piling on the attacks to force a change in the rankings, however HCM City and Dong Thap managed to fight off the constant barrage of attempts.

The HCM City team pulled out the stops over the last 2km and successfully distanced themselves from the pack, leaving it 500m behind as they crossed the finish line. Duan, supported by his teammates, crossed ahead of the others to pocket his first ever stage win in the annual tournament.

Ivan Dominguez from the amateur team, TRU Cycling-Tamouh Phu My, came second, followed by Tran Van Quyen of Military Zone 7.

Dominguez moved from second place to lead the green jersey race with 47 points, leaving Duan behind on 38 points. Do Tuan Anh of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 1, who performed poorly yesterday, dropped to third place on 33, after leading in the first two stages.

Overall, after three stages, Nhan from the Sai Gon Plant Protection team took up the lead with a total time of 6:24.47. He was six seconds faster than the two runners-up Tang Chi Hung of Vinh Long and Nguyen Quoc Dinh of Ben Tre.

Despite not having a cyclist in yesterdays top three, Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 2, continued to top the team leader-board with a total time of 19:16.23. The US team, TRU Cycling-Tamouh Phu My lie second 19:17.41 and Military Zone 7 are third on 19:17.45.

The fourth stage today will see the cyclists slogging on from Can Tho City to Ca Mau City, at 178km, it is the longest stage in the competition. — VNS