Saleh Mohd Harrif of Malaysian Terengganu (centre) celebrates when he finishes first in the third stage of the ADC Tour of Viet Nam yesterday. — VNS Photo Hai Van

HA NOI (VNS)— Mai Nguyen Hung retained the yellow jersey after the third stage of the ADC Tour of Viet Nam yesterday.

Saleh Mohd Harrif of Malaysian team Terengganu won the third stage over 133km from Can Tho City to Soc Trang City and back.

Saleh clocked a top speed of 44.773km/h and completed the stage in 2:51.32.

Im Jaeyeon from South Korea's Euijeongbu team and An Giang Plant Protection's Nguyen Thanh Tam finished second and third.

Saleh's win earned him the sprinters green jersey.

With an overall time of 11:42.39, Hung of the HCM City Eximbank team holds the lead, followed by Huang En of China's Max Success Sports team and Rajablou Mohamad of Iran's Ayandeh team.

Hung made history on Tuesday by becoming the first ever Vietnamese cyclist to win a tour stage endorsed by the International Cycling Union.

"The whole team tried their best to defend the yellow jersey and team position. There are still two stages to go, but I'm sure the guys will give it their all," said Do Thanh Dat, HCM City Eximbank coach. Today, cyclists will compete along the 166km fourth stage from Long Xuyen City to Chau Doc City, before returning to Can Tho.

The Tour of Viet Nam will conclude on December 22 with the winner walking away with VND50 million (US$2,800). — VNS