Cycling

Martin Laas celebrates his win of the fourth stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on April 4. Photo of Cycling News

HÀ NỘI An unexpected fall caused Petr Rikunov's defeat in the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament's fourth stage, with the win going to Martin Laas on April 4.

Only 29 riders competed in the 124km stage from Hòa Bình Province to Hà Nội's Đông Anh District after nearly 80 athletes did not finish after the second stage.

Rikunov of Lộc Trời Group was among riders in the leading group as usual.

However, at the mark of 30km, he collided with other riders and fell down. Rikunov luckily could get up and continue the race while Javier Sarda Perez of LeFruit Đồng Nai had to give up because of broke thigh.

The Russian then was stuck in the second group till the end of the race, ending his streak of 28 stage wins at this competition.

Igor Frolov of HCM City New Group, Avanov Timofei of HCM City Vinama and Laas of 620 Châu Thới Vĩnh Long took turn to lead the race, extending the gap between the second group to more than 1.31min.

Laas was successful to sprint to the finish and secured his first stage win. He was followed by Roman Maikin of Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang and Nguyễn Tấn Hoài of Lộc Trời Group.

Frolov was not in the top three but being the leading group was enough to help him steal the yellow jersey for the overall leader after four stage.

Ivanov TimoFei of HCM City Vinama and Sawa Novkov of Nhựa Bình Minh-Bình Dương were runners-up. Rikunov dropped to No 4.

In the team's ranking, HCM City Vinama, Lộc Trời Group and LeFruit Đồng Nai are top three.

The fifth stage will be 25 laps of 42.5km around Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hà Nội. VNS