Cycling  

Lộc Trời Group cyclists win the team time trial of 26km of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on April 10. VNS Photo Như Huy

THANH HÓA — Ivannov Timofei defended his top spot after Lộc Trời Group took the team time trial event of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament on April 10.

Lộc Trời Group was led by defending champion Petr Rikunov. He successfully pushed his teammates at high speed to finish with the best time of 30.44min over 26km.

"We were really determined today. Rikunov was really a strong cyclist. He played a key role in pushing the whole team up to win this stage," said Nguyễn Tấn Hoài of Lộc Trời Group, who is one of the top Vietnamese cyclists.

Lộc Trời Group won with a 21-sec gap with the second team, Domesco Đồng Tháp, while Timofei‘s HCM - Vinama came in third at 31.23min.

Timofei was able to maintain in the lead after seven stages. But Rikunov was close behind him after his successful race.

Igor Frolov of HCM City New Group was third.

In the team rankings, HCM City Vinama, Lộc Trời Group and Le Fruit Đồng Nai were the top three.

The eighth stage will be from Thanh Hóa's Sầm Sơn Beach to Vinh City of Nghệ An Province. Cyclists will race for 154km. VNS