Cycling 

 HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Thị Thật is close to the overall victory after winning the second stage of the Tour of Thailand cycling tournament on April 9.

Thật who also won the first stage was not in the leading group from the beginning of the 95,5km from Sukhothai to Khao Luang and back to Sukhothai.

But her teammates Nguyễn Thị Thi, Nguyễn Thị Thu Mai and Trần Thị Thùy Trang made up great team work to push her to join the leading eight-athlete group at the mark of 50km.

Among them riders from Australia, Malaysia and especially Jutatip Maneephan of the hosts all threated to replace Asian champion Thật in the top position.

Hundred meters to the finish, Thật proved her road race talent when she came from behind to pass all rivals at the line, timing 2hr 28.25min with an average speed of 38.61km/h.

Despite everyone kept close eye on Thật as they all knew about her sprinting ability that help her win the 2023 Asian title but none of them could prevent Thật from winning.

Maneephan came second, followed by Mohamad Aisyah of Malaysia.

With two wins in a row, Thật dominated the tournament with the yellow jersey for the top rider, the green jersey for the most-point one and the purple jersey for the best ASEAN cyclist.

The third and last stage will be 70km from Bueng Sam Phan to Si Tep Historical Park on April 10.  Thật, the Paris Olympic participant, will be the first to start. VNS