HÀ NỘI — Despite a problem with his bike Nguyễn Thành Tâm triumphed in the fifth stage of the HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday.

Tâm of An Giang topped the 199km race from Vinh in Nghệ An Province to Đồng Hới in Quảng Bình Province with a time of 4hr 54.50min.

He had a problem with his handlebars 50km from the finish. It took Tâm time to fix it, but he performed well and caught up with the peloton, passing them to take his third win.

Đỗ Tuấn Anh of Domesco Đồng Tháp and Lê Văn Duẩn of VUS HCM City came in second and third, respectively.

With another stage victory, Tâm strengthened his top position and will hold tightly to his yellow green jerseys.

The stage also saw Quàng Văn Cường of Hà Nội taking the polka dot jersey as the King of the Mountain. Cường was the first cyclist to reach the peak of Ngang Pass on the way to the finish.

In the team rankings, VUS HCM City are on top, followed by Domesco Đồng Tháp and An Giang.

The sixth stage will be 162km from Đồng Hới to Huế. – VNS