Cycling

Nguyễn Thị Thật celebrates her victory on the top podium of the Tour of Thailand on April 9. — Photos courtesy of the Tour of Thailand 2023

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Thị Thật has emerged victorious in the second stage of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorns Cup Women's Tour of Thailand.

The 82.2km race, held in the picturesque Rayong Province, located 140km southeast of Bangkok, was a true test of endurance and skill.

However, Thật proved to be more than up for the challenge, finishing first with an impressive time of 1 hour 58.48 minutes.

Her closest competitors, Maneephan Jutatip of Thailand and Na Ahreum of South Korea, finished second and third, respectively, but were no match for the exceptional Thật.

After the first round on April 8, Jutatip had secured the coveted yellow jersey, leaving Thật in second place. However, the dynamic Vietnamese cyclist didn't let that deter her.

With a total time of 3:43.46 after two stages, Thật succeeded in overtaking Jutatip and claimed the leading position, snatching the jersey away from her rival.

Jutatip, who fell behind with a time of 3:43.52, now faces an uphill battle to regain her footing in the competition.

Nguyễn Thị Thật in green jersey wins the 82.2km second stage of the annual tournament.

The Asian champion also took the green jersey for the leader in the points classification. Thật has collected 39 points, six more than Jatatip, who is second in the ranking.

She also wore the polka dot jersey for the best mountain climber with the highest five points among riders.

In the team ranking, Indonesia placed first, timing 11:12.33 on two stages. South Korea and Việt Nam were second and third, respectively.

The final stage today will see nearly 60 athletes touring from Rayong to Dok Krai Reservoir on 89km.

The Vietnamese team has four athletes at the Thai event.

A representative of the organisers presents the polka dot jersey to Nguyễn Thị Thật.

According to General Secretary Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ of the Việt Nam Cycling and Motor Sports Federation, it was an important tournament for the team who would compete at the 32nd SEA Games in May and collect points for a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

At the 31st SEA Games, Thật won a double in the women's road race individual and team events.

Vũ said if the team were in the top 45 in the Internation Union of Cycling (UCI), they would earn an official place at the Paris Olympics.

The team will return to Thailand for the Asian championship in June. VNS