Cycling

Petr Rikunov (centre) celebrates his first stage victory in the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament. Photos courtesy of Cycling News

ĐIỆN BIÊN — Petr Rikunov stormed to victory in the first stage of the national HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on April 3.

Lộc Trời Group rider completed 52.5km of 15 laps around Điện Biên Phủ City in a time of 1hr 09.55min to keep the yellow jersey as the temporary leader.

The defending champion faced strong attacks from Trần Tuấn Kiệt (Dopagan Đồng Tháp), Roman Maikin (Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang), Trần Thanh Điền (TP.HCM-Vinama) and Savva Novikov (Nhựa Bình Minh Bình Dương) in the last laps. 

They were all bunched together with the finish line in sight, but Rikunov came out of the pack at full speed and managed to finish first and top the podium.

Kiệt came second and Nguyễn Văn Bình of HCM City New Group third.

More than 100 strongest cyclists are taking part in the 36th HCM City Television Cycling Tournament.

Russian Rikunov also took the blue jersey for the best sprinter.

In the team rankings, HCM City New Group are on top, followed by Lộc Trời Group and Military Zone 7.

The second stage will be a 62km race around Sơn La City of Sơn La Province.

The 36th tournament is one of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Điện Biên Phủ victory (May 7, 1954-May 7, 2024) and 49th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975-April 30, 2024) and other holidays of Việt Nam.

The event features 105 athletes from 15 national clubs. They are racing in 25 stages covering 2.700km. They start from the North and head to the Central Highland region before finishing in the South. 

They are expected to reach HCM City on April 30. VNS