Kings of the road: Cyclists compete in the third stage of the Cycling to the Countryside Tournament yesterday. Tran Van Khang of Vinh Binh Rice-An Giang won the stage. — VNS Photo Hai Van

HA NOI (VNS)— Host rival Tran Van Khang won the third stage of the Cycling to the Countryside Tournament yesterday, pedaling from Long An Province's Moc Hoa District to Can Tho City.

Khang, of the Vinh Binh Rice-An Giang team, finished the 126km race in three hours and 25.10 minutes, with an average speed of 36.767km/h.

Yellow jersey holder Huynh Thanh Tung of Military Zone 7 opened an attack early after the start, trying to widen the gap.

He broke away at the 30km mark. However his attempt was not successful, as the host team members caught up with him 15km later. They were then joined by other cyclists, creating a big push to the finish.

Second and third places went to Nguyen Minh Luan of Vinh Long and Truong Nhat Truong from Domesco Dong Thap Pharmacy.

Tung failed to make the top three but maintained his jersey with a best time of 7:09.09. Ha Thanh Tam of An Giang followed closely behind, with 18 seconds extra.

With the stage win yesterday, An Giang kept their lead in the term ranking, taking 21:29.03 to complete the three stages. Vinh Long and Binh Duong followed.

The green jersey also went to Tung, who earned 49 points, much better than runners-up Luan (31) and Tam (30).

Tuesday's winner Nguyen Van Huong of 5 Gau A Luot-Long Xuyen continued leading the race for amateur cyclists. He finished yesterday's stage with a time of 7:09.12.

Today, athletes will race 111km from Can Tho to Bac Lieu City.

The tournament for young riders will finish on Sunday, with prize money of VND335 million (US$16,000) awarded to the winners. — VNS