Cycling

Cyclists in action at the sixth stage of the Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament, HukmaoPhoto

BÌNH THUẬN — Kasuga Watabe won the sixth stage while Nguyễn Thị Thu Mai stole the blue jersey for the best point classification rider at the Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament on March 11.

It was a tough stage as riders had to overcome three passes during the 130km distance from Đà Lạt City of Lâm Đồng Province to Phan Rang City of Bình Thuận Province.

Among 93 competitors at the start line, 27 did not finish this stage.

Watabe of Japanese Gerbera Club proved her strong physique, finishing first with a time of 3hr 26.46min.

Nur Aisyah Mohammad Zubir of Malaysia and Mai of Lộc Trời Group were second and third, respectively.

Vietnamese Mai left behind Thai rider Maneephan Jutatip, who dominated the blue jersey race since the first stage, to win both two sprints in this stage.

With 15 points awarded, Mai jumped over Jutatip in the ranking and will wear the blue jersey in the next stage.

In the overall ranking, Russian competitor Natalia Frolova of Biwase Bình Dương was in the top spot. She clocked in at 17:33.37 and forged a seven minute gap with the nearest rival, Gulnaz Khatuntnseva of ION Gold Biwase.

As the race only has four stages left, Frolova has nearly ensured her victory at the tournament if nothing unusual happens.

After one day dropping out of the top three, Biwase Bình Dương came back to the top spot. Lộc Trời Group and Thailand national team were closed behind.

The seventh stage will be from Phan Rang to Phan Thiết for 135km. — VNS