Cycling 

Nguyễn Minh Thiện cycles solo to the finish line of the o Điện Biên Phủ 2024 cycling tournament on May 3. Photo of organisers

SƠN LA -- Nguyễn Minh Thiện's outstanding performance brought him the stage win and top place of the To Điện Biên Phủ 2024 cycling tournament on May 3.

The rider from Vĩnh Long and Phạm Tiến Việt and Phùng Quốc Hà of Hà Nội separated from the pack, creating their own race in the lead group from the 30km mark. 

Thiện successfully won two sprints and was the first one to reach Chiềng Đông Pass' peak for bonus points. About 50km to the finish, he sped up, leaving his rivals behind to race solo to the finish line. He finished the 141km stage from Vân Hồ District to Sơn La City of Sơn La Province in a time of 3hr 24.32min.

Nguyễn Văn Bình and Nguyễn Tuấn Vũ of HCM City Vinama caught up with and passed Việt and Hà minutes later. They were second and third finishers, respectively.

After three stages, Thiện is on top with a total time of 7:29.03. Phạm Lê Xuân Lộc of Military Zone 7, who made history by winning four titles in one stage on May 2, finished second. Nguyễn Hoàng Sang of Đồng Nai was third.

After the awards were presented, organisers gave gifts to people in need in Sơn La and promised to build 10 toilets worth VNĐ600 million for local schools.

The fourth stage on May 4 from Sơn La City to Điện Biên Phủ City of Điện Biên Province is 155km. VNS