HA NOI — Veteran cyclist Le Van Duan won the sixth stage of the nation's most prestigious cycling tournament, the 24th HCM City Television Cup, yesterday.

Duan from Sai Gon Plant Protection clocked a top speed of 37.866km per hour during the 179km race from Quang Ngai to Quy Nhon City, which he completed in four hours, 43 minutes and 38 seconds.

Do Tuan Anh of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap, and Phan Thanh Dien, of An Giang Plant Protection, came in second and third, respectively.

The sixth stage showed the great efforts of the younger cyclists, including Huynh Thanh Tung of Military Zone 7, Le Tuan Linh of Binh Duong, Nguyen Quoc Toan of Ben Tre and Phan Thong Nhan of Can Tho. Even though they failed to place in the tournament, they managed to keep place with the vanguard as they crossed the finish line.

Dinh Quoc Viet of Vinamit kept his yellow jersey for the best quickest time, 14:49.36 over all six stages. He was followed by Mai Nguyen Hung of Sai Gon Plant Protection and Dien.

Duan continued to hold the green jersey for best-sprinter, with 67 points, followed by Hung (54 points) and Anh (50 points).

ADC-Vinh Long Televi-sion's Nguyen Hoang Sang won the white jersey as best young cyclist.

In the team race, Military Zone 7 took the lead, with a time of 44:31.15. An Giang Plant Protection and Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap Team finished second and third, respectively.

The cyclists will have a day off before competing in the seventh stage, consisting of the 165km from Quy Nhon to Pleiku City. This is a long stage, and includes two mountain passes, An Khe and Mang Giang. — VNS