Seventh heaven: Nguyen Truong Tai (second, right) sprints towards the finish line at the end of the seventh stage of the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament yesterday. — VNS Photo Hai Van

HA NOI (VNS)— Team Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 1's Nguyen Truong Tai won the seventh stage of the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament yesterday as Truong Nguyen Thanh Nhan retained his leadership.

Tai held off fast-finishing Le Van Dong of VTV Can Tho and breakaway Nguyen Thanh Tam of An Giang Plant Protection to win the stage by a tenth of second with a group of seven riders. Tai clocked 2hr 18.22min from Rach Gia City to Ha Tien Town in Kien Giang Province.

Narrow roads and rain have inhibited during the whole tour, and only Le Van Duan of Eximbank HCM City who won the sixth stage on Saturday took advantage by pocketing the five-point sprint bonus, 50km from the start line.

Duan narrowed the gap with the green jersey race leader Ivan Dominguez of TRU Cycling-Tamouh Phu My. Duan, while close behind are Tam and Tran Van Quyen, the fifth stage winner, of Military Zone 7.

With just 3km to go, seven cyclists broke away from the peloton towards the finish, where Tai pipped his rivals by a hair's breadth

Tour leader Nhan of Sai Gon Plant Protection followed in the chasing group, 19sec behind the winner. His position was retained with a time of 17:48.42. Tang Chi Hung of ADC-Vinh Long Television and Nguyen Quoc Dinh of Ben Tre were 6sec behind.

In the team rankings, Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 2 are top with a total time of 53:27.56. Phu My are second (53:29.26) and Military Zone 7, third (53:29.40).

The tournament will finish today with the eighth stage from Ha Tien to Long Xuyen City over 148km. — VNS