HÀ NỘI — Lê Văn Duẩn of team VUS-HCM City is unable to continue competing in the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament due to injury, the leaders of VUS-HCM City announced yesterday.

During the 162km eighth stage from Quảng Bình to Huế City on Thursday, Duẩn, a top performer in the team, was met with injury near Hiền Lương Bridge in Quảng Trị. Duẩn tried his best to finish the stage, and was later treated in Huế City with a broken rib.

“Without Duẩn, the team will struggle to gain titles,” said Đỗ Thành Đạt, head coach of VUS-HCM City, “However, Duẩn’s health is the most important thing.”

Duẩn is currently one of the top sprinters in Vietnamese cycling.

Duẩn won the fifth stage and ranks third in the individual rankings after eight stages. He also ranks third in the race for the green jersey award.

He was of paramount importance to team VUS-HCM City in the fight for both the yellow jersey and the green jersey.

His team is competing against other teams such as Gạo Hạt Ngọc trời An Giang; Bike Life Đồng Nai; the Military Zone 7; and Domesco Pharmacy Đồng Tháp.

Nguyễn Thắng, a young cyclist of team HCM City - Minh Giang, was also forced to say good bye to the annual event after breaking his collar-bone during the sixth stage from Thanh Hóa to Vinh City.

The HCM City Television Cycling Tournament is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country. This year’s event breaks the record for the longest tour, with 30 stages covering a whopping 3,267km. — VNS