Neck-and-neck: The fourth stage of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Cycling Tournament was won by Huynh Van Thuan of the ADC-Vinh Long Television team yesterday. —VNS Photo Hai Van

HA NOI (VNS)— The fourth stage of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Cycling Tournament was won by Huynh Van Thuan of the ADC-Vinh Long Television team yesterday.

Truong Nguyen Thanh Nhan of Sai Gon Plant Protection maintained his position as the race's leader. He clocked a time of 10hr 52.31min after four stages. The two runners-up also remained unchanged, with Tang Chi Hung of Vinh Long holding onto second position and Nguyen Quoc Dinh from Ben Tre still in third.

The 180km race saw consecutive attacks from Vinh Binh Rice-An Giang, Can Tho and Vinh Long riders.

After the first 30km, Le Van Dong (Can Tho) and Nguyen Hoang Giang (An Giang) broke away from the pack.

Thuan, Ho Huynh Van An and Tran Van Khang, both of An Giang Seedling Centre took their turn to surge ahead 10km before the finish. They maintained a lead for a while but failed to cement their lead as the whole peloton caught up 7km later.

Thuan still managed to win the stage, clocking a time of 4:27.37. An was second and third stage winner Le Van Duan of Eximbank HCM City stood at third.

Riders from TRU Cycling-Tamouh Phu My helped their teammate Ivan Dominguez keep his green jersey with 60 points.

In the team ranking, Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 2 were on top with a time of 32:39.35. TRU Cycling-Tamouh Phu My and Military Zone 7 were the two runners-up, nearly 90sec behind.

The tour will enter its fifth stage today from Ca Mau City to Soc Trang City across a 113km-long route. — VNS