HA NOI (VNS)–Huynh Thanh Tung won the first stage of the Cycling to the Countryside tournament yesterday, which took place around Van Mieu Park in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province.

Tung, representing the Military Zone 7 team, finished the 27 laps of the 37.8km stage in a time of 51.28min. He successfully separated from the whole peloton at the 22nd lap and was unchallenged as he approached the finish line.

The win allows Tung to wear the yellow jersey in the next stage.

"The coaching board set up the perfect plan for me and I executed it well to claim the victory and win the green jersey. I hope my teammates will support me strongly in the next stage to help me keep the yellow jersey," Tung said.

Yellow jersey: Huynh Thanh Tung celebrates winning the first stage of the Cycling to the Countryside race yesterday. — VNS Photo Hai Van

Phan Hoang Thai of Domesco Dong Thap Pharmacy came second and Le Quoc Vu of Tinh Bien-An Giang came third.

Tung was named best cyclist after acquiring 24 points. His teammate Do Quang Vinh followed closely with 10 points.

Military Zone 7 took lead in the team rankings after securing a total time of 2:34.44, followed by Dong Thap and Vinh Long.

Today racers will tour 113km from Cao Lanh to Vinh Hung District in Long An Province.

The tournament, which is also known as the An Giang Television Cycling Cup, has attracted nearly 90 athletes who will compete in eight stages covering a distance of 687km.

The tour will conclude when cyclists reach Long Xuyen City in An Giang on May 19 to celebrate President Ho Chi Minh's 123rd birthday anniversary.

The competition, which is for young riders, is offering up to VND335 million (US$16,000) in prize money for the winners. — VNS