Cycling  

Petr Rikunov of Lộc Trời Group celebrates his stage win of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on April 4. Photos of Cycling News

SƠN LA — Petr Rikunov of Lộc Trời Group took won the second stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on April 4.

Despite challenges from other cyclists, the Russian was the first to cross the finish line of the 62km race around Sơn La City, Sơn La Province in a time of 1hr 18.25min, reaching an average speed of 42.848km/h.

HCM City New Group rider Igor Frolov opened lead from the pack. Minutes later, he was caught by 10 other riders that included Rikonov, Javier Sandra Perez (Le Fruit Đồng Nai), Ivannov TimoFei (HCM City Vinama), and Savva Novikov (Nhựa Bình Minh - Bình Dương).

Rikonov proved why he won the title last year, strongly through the group until only Novikov and Nguyễn Tuấn Vũ of (HCM City Vinama) were left.

The trio raced together to within a few hundreds metres of the finish line. Rikonov made his move leaving the other in his wake.

Among more than 100 riders, 76 were marked 'did not finish' after the second stage. It was due to their gap with the winner exceeded the time allowed by the regulations (five per cent).

Riders in action in the second stage of 52km around mountainous Sơn La City.

They will continue cycling in the next stages. Their results will not be counted but they are allowed to vie for sprint bonuses.

HCM City Vinama jumped to top of the team's ranking as three of their riders were in the leading group.

They set up a 1.28min-gap with the second side, Le Fruit Đồng Nai and 2.56min with Lộc Trời Group.

The third stage of the national largest cycling event will be three laps of 52km around Hòa Bình City, Hoà Bình Province. VNS