Cycling

Yurina Kinoshita of team Gerbera takes a stage win of the Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament on March 8. Photos courtesy of Cycling News

LÂM ĐỒNG — Yurina Kinoshita's strong performance won her the third stage while Natalia Frolova stole the yellow jersey as the leader of the Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament on March 8.

Riders of the Japanese Gerbera team including Kinoshita launched attacks after they had disappeared in the previous stages in the 120km from Định Quán District of Đồng Nai Province to Bảo Lộc City, Lâm Đồng Province. They played key roles in pushing the speed of the race.

Kinoshita received strong support from teammates to be the first one to reach the top of 9km Bảo Lộc Hill and secured the polka dot jersey as the Queen of the Mountain. 

She then cycled solo to the finish line to take the stage win in a time of 3hr 35.55min.

Cyclists on the third stage which is 120km from Định Quán District of Đồng Nai Province to Bảo Lộc City, Lâm Đồng Province.

Yellow jersey wearer Nguyễn Thị Thu Mai of Lộc Trời Group, winner of the second stage, was among the riders in the leading pack but despite of her strong effort, Mai could not catch up with Kinoshita and dropped out of the overall top three.

Frolova of ION Gold Biwase proved herself one of the best cyclists in hill climbing, coming 16 seconds after Kinoshita in the third stage, while her total time of 9:30.20 made her the leading athlete after three stages.

Gulnaz Khatuntseva of ION Gold Biwase was second, and Kinoshita was third.

First stage winner Maneephan Jutatip of Thailand did not make the top three of both rankings but she maintained the lead in the point classification category. Jutatip will continue wearing the blue jersey in the next stage.

In the team rankings, with two riders in the overall top three, ION Gold Biwase jumped to the top spot. Lộc Trời Group and Thailand are second and third, respectively.

The fourth stage is from Bảo Lộc to Đà Lạt City on 110km. Athletes will have to climb Prenn Hill with 20 points available for the first one to reach the peak. VNS