Ha Thanh Tam (right) pedals to win the third stage of the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Cycling Tournament.

HCM CITY - Vinh Binh Rice-An Giang's Ha Thanh Tam won the third stage of the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Cycling Tournament yesterday after pipping their rivals to the post in the final metres.

Tam won the 108km stage from Phan Rang to Nha Trang with a time of 2hr 56.55min, at a speed of 36.62km/h.

Nguyen Truong Tai and Do Anh Tuan of Domesco Pharmacy-Dong Thap came second and third, respectively.

Le Minh Nguyet of Eximbank-HCM City finished fourth and stole the tour's top place from Ho Huynh Van An of An Giang Plant Protection.

Nguyet leads the pack after three stages with a time of 12:18.28. An shared the same result but dropped to second place. Chau Hong Hau of Military Zone 7 is third, on 12:18.29.

Nguyet is also the tour's green jersey holder, grabbing 39 points.

His team maintain first place in the team rankings with 36:56.04, followed by An Giang Plant Protection and Military Zone 7.

The fourth stage today will see cyclists racing from Nha Trang to Da Lat over 99km. The stage will challenge riders with the 29km Khanh Le and 4km Giang Ly hills. The winners will be awarded the red jersey for the King of Mountain title.

Tran Le Minh Tuan (Military Zone 7), Le Ngoc Son and Nguyen Truong Tai (Domesco Pharmacy-Dong Thap) are the three strongest of the title favourites. — VNS