Le Van Duan of Eximbank HCM City 1 won the fifth stage of the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) Cycling Tournament yesterday.

Cyclists from low-ranked teams, such as ADC-Vinh Long Television 2, Ha Noi and Hau Giang, competed in the 166km stage from Ca Mau City to Can Tho City. After the first 50km, they broke away from the pack by three minutes.

However, the bunch caught up with them when there was 35km to go and they headed to the finish together.

Duan crossed the line first in 3:49.11 with an average speed of 43.45km/h, followed by Tran Van Quyen of Military Zone 7 and Lam Cong Danh of An Giang Plant Protection 1.

Duan earned another 25 points to get a total of 80 points, temporarily holding the green jersey.

Dinh Quoc Viet couldn't keep the yellow jersey when finishing 64th. Trinh Phat Dat of An Giang Plant Protection 1 took the jersey from Viet with an overall time of 14:51.36, pushing him to second place.

In the team competition, Eximbank HCM City 2 retained their lead in the rankings, followed by the two teams from Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap.

Today cyclists will compete in the 120km sixth stage from Can Tho City to Chau Doc Town. — VNS