First to finish: Truong Nguyen Thanh Nhan pedals to the end of the second stage at the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament yesterday. — VNS Photo Hai Van

HA NOI (VNS)— Truong Nguyen Thanh Nhan stole the yellow jersey during the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament yesterday.

The Sai Gon Plant Protection cyclist crossed the finish line of the second stage with a time of 2hr 52.11min over the 118km from Tra Vinh to Cao Lanh City in Dong Thap Province.

The second stage saw a series of unsuccessful attacks from every team, who kept a close eye on each other from the go.

After the first 30km, 16 riders sped away from the pack. Later Nhan, Nguyen Quoc Dinh from Ben Tre, Tang Chi Hung representing the ADC-Vinh Long Television team and Christopher A Dermachi broke from the group to sprint to the finish. When it was at the 117km mark, Nhan pedaled strongly to leave his rivals far behind and win the stage.

Dinh was second and Hung came third.

Nhan has competed the two stages in an overall time of 4:22.27.

Yellow jersey holder Do Tuan Anh, from Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 1, was in the second group who finished about one minute after the winner. He then lost the jersey after Monday's first stage.

Hung's third place yesterday pushed him into second overall. Dinh came third.

Nhan's success also helped him to level points with 25 to take the green jersey with Tuan Anh.

However this was not enough to help his team.

In the team rankings, Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 2 jumped to top position with 13:09.23. The TRU Cycling-Tamout Phu My and Military Zone 7 teams lie second and third, respectively.

Today, the cyclists will race from Cao Lanh to Can Tho City, a distance of 88km.

The Mekong Delta event has attracted 105 racers from 20 local teams as well as the amateur TRU Cycling-Tamouh Phu My team from the US.

They will compete in nine stages over a total distance of 947km. The tour will conclude on August 20. — VNS