Mai Nguyen Hung of Eximbank, HCM City, won the third stage of the Return to Truong Son cycling race yesterday in a time of 5:01.23.

The 194km stage from Thanh Hoa City to Ha Tinh City saw cyclists from Eximbank improve their position in the team's competition.

After the first 50km, 20 cyclists broke away from the bunch to lead the race. Three top competitors, Trinh Duc Tam and Bui Minh Thuy of ADC-Vinh Long Television and Do Tuan Anh, became separated from the leading group by four minutes.

Their chances of keeping up with the group seemed hopeless when they sped up to head to the finish together.

Hung sprinted across the line first, followed by Nguyen Van Tai of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap and Tang Tri Hung of ADC-Vinh Long Television 1.

Hung temporarily kept the yellow jersey with an overall time of 9:45.26. Ha Thanh Tam of An Giang Plant Protection's junior team and Tai came in second and third, respectively.

Tam's position helped his team rise to the top position in the team's rankings with a combined time of 29:17.35.

Eximbank HCM City finished second with a time of 29:17.48 and Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap was in third with a time of 29:19.33.

Today cyclists will take part in the 150km fourth stage from Ha Tinh City to Dong Hoi City. — VNS