Kim Loan takes stage six to cement team pole position

Cyclist Pham Thi Kim Loan's sixth stage win at the International Binh Duong Women's Cycling Tournament helped her team increase their lead over rivals yesterday.

Loan took the 77km race from La Gi Town to Ba Ria Town in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province with a time of 1hr 56.05 while Dong Thap Domesco Pharmacy clocked 46:28.47, some 1.15min faster than the runner-up, Vinh Binh An Giang Rice. The frontrunner's lead is believed to be big enough to ensure they pocket a title.

Tran Thi Phuong Trang of An Giang, who won Wednesday's stage, was second. She was followed by Modh Radzi Mardiana of Malaysia.

Meanwhile Binh Duong Environment Water Supply-Drainage 1 who have lost their top place opportunity in team rankings, successfully protected their yellow jersey holder Cao Thi Cam Le.

Le has been on top form since the beginning of the tournament, and clocked a total time of 15:29.02, 3 seconds less than leader Nguyen Thi Thi of An Giang.

On the race to take the green jersey, Nguyen Thi That of An Giang dominated with 95 points.-VNS