Out of the pack: Cyclists compete on the 10th stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday. Ho Van Loc from Ben Tre won the stage. — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI — Ho Van Loc from Ben Tre overcame experienced rivals to win the tenth stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday.

The 195km ride from Buon Ma Thuot to Nha Trang was the longest stage of the tournament.

After the first 10km, a group of eight cyclists from Can Tho, Binh Duong and Ben Tre broke away from the peloton and opened up a lead of more than five minutes.

Realising they would not be vying for podium finishes on this stage, Sai Gon Plant Protection cyclists did their best to protect the green jersey of sprinter Le Van Duan.

The leading group finished the race without incident, with Loc crossing the finish line in a time of 5 hours, 02 minutes and 43 seconds, followed by Nguyen Thanh Tuan and Quach Tinh Toan from Can Tho.

Although finishing the race 10min and 15sec behind the leaders, Mai Nguyen Hung of Sai Gon Plant Protection retained the yellow jersey with an overall time of 31:51:50. Nguyen Truong Tai of Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap is in second with 31:52.07 and Tran Thanh Phu of Military Zone 7 is third with 31:52:15.

The green jersey remains in Duan's possession with 102 points while Tran Le Minh Tuan of Military Zone 7 holds the white jersey for the best young cyclist.

In the team competition, Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap are still in top spot with an overall time of 95:36:16, followed by An Giang Plant Protection (95:36:42) and Military Zone 7 (95:38:11).

Today they will compete along the 66km eleventh stage of the tour around Nha Trang. — VNS