Tran Tuan Kiet of Đồng Tháp wowed spectators at the second stage of the 2023 Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV) Cup cycling tournament on Monday, putting in a spectacular sprint to take the win.
Kiet had an outstanding performance despite Tap Doan Loc Troi’s absolute dominance of the 110-kilometer race from Hanoi to the north-central Thanh Hoa Province.
Cyclists from Tap Doan Loc Troi surged ahead, seizing the opportunity to score bonus points along the route. Gaining a one-minute lead on the main pack, they continued on their journey towards the finish line.
The two packs converged about 20 kilometers from the finish line.
Members of Tap Doan Loc Troi aided their two teammates, Nguyen Tan Hoai and Roman Maikin, in launching an offensive.
But they faced blocking from the Dopagan Dong Thap riders in the last three kilometers.
Eventually, Kiet outpaced Hoai and Petr Rikunov of Tap Doan Loc Troi in the final burst of sprint to snatch the stage win after two hours, 44 minutes, and 22 seconds.
After the first two stages of the 2023 HTV Cup, Russian cyclist Rikunov is currently at the top of the leaderboard, holding the most prestigious yellow and blue jerseys. These jerseys are awarded to the riders with the best times in the time classification and the most points in the points category, respectively.
Ninety-eight cyclists from fourteen competing teams are set to take part in an exhilarating 140 kilometer race from Thanh Hoa to Nghe An Province on Tuesday. The riders will face a challenging course as they battle to be crowned the winner. It promises to be an exciting event, as cyclists from all over the region come together to compete.
The Ho Chi Minh City Cup Race has been a yearly event since 1989, and is seen as Vietnam’s premier cycling race – akin to France’s Tour de France. It is an iconic event that showcases the best of Vietnam’s cycling talent. Over the years, the race has been a major attraction for both domestic and international audiences. Participants must complete a challenging course that takes them through the cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. The race is usually held in the spring and is a test of endurance, strength, and skill for all involved. Spectators can enjoy the amazing scenery, as well as witness the incredible athleticism of the riders. The HTV Cup race has become a symbol of Vietnamese culture, and is a reminder of the country’s proud cycling heritage.
In its 35th edition, the Vietnam Cycling Federation’s National Road Cycling Championship takes cyclists on an epic journey through 2,964 kilometers of the country in 25 stages – from north to south – in celebration of Vietnam’s reunification on April 30, 1975. It’s an event that embodies the spirit of the nation and its people.
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