Frolov finished the four-kilometer time trial in four minutes and 39.02 seconds, just 0.08 seconds faster than second finisher Loic Desriac of Duoc Domesco Dong Thap, who is the reigning champion.
Frolov’s performance temporarily awarded the Ho Chi Minh City-Vinama team the most prestigious yellow jersey, while Quang Van Cuong of Tap Doan Loc Troi came in third after four minutes and 42.26 seconds.
Tuesday’s stage was also the Russian’s debut at a tournament in Vietnam as he just joined the Ho Chi Minh City-based cycling club last month.
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| French cyclist Loic Desriac races in the opening stage of the 2022 Ho Chi Minh City TV (HTV) Cup tournament in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, April 5, 2022. Photo: T.P. / Tuoi Tre |
Ninety-eight cyclists from 14 competing teams were scheduled to race for 64 kilometers in the second leg of the tourney, around Ha Long City and Bai Chay area in Quang Ninh Province on Friday morning.
The HTV Cup race has been held annually since 1989 and is considered Vietnam’s ‘Tour de France.’
In its 34th edition, the competition takes cyclists through 2,316.2 kilometers in 23 stages from north to south in celebration of Vietnam’s reunification on April 30, 1975.
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