VietNamNet Bridge – Domesco Dong Thap scored a double-header on Monday, taking two golds at the National Cycling Championship in northern Hoa Binh Province.

Mai Cong Hieu captained the team, filling the void left by Dat, and led teammates Dinh Quoc Viet and Nguyen Truong Tai to the win after fellow teammate Nguyen Van Tai pulled out with a flat tire at the 57km mark. The trio led the bunch from the beginning, rotating the lead position, a tactic that helped the team stay fresh.

Averaging 47km per hour, Domesco Dong Thap finished 37 seconds faster than runners-up Sai Gon Plan Protection. Third place went to An Giang Plan Protection who finished in a time of 1.39:09.

It was Hieu’s third gold medal at the tournament. He also won the men’s 40km individual time trial on Sunday and the men’s 40km point trial last Saturday.

In the women’s events, Domesco Dong Thap took gold in a time of 1.11:46, Sai Gon Plan Protection also won another silver in 1.12:34, followed by Binh Duong Water Supply team, who finished in 1.13:02.

Domesco Dong Thap’s biggest rivals, An Giang Plan Protection, were not even contenders after Southeast Asian Games champion Phan Thi Thuy Trang failed to register to race in time.

Pham Thi Lieu was scheduled to race for An Giang, but she suffered an injury and Trang was named as her substitute. However, her registration was sent to organisers late, and she was not allowed to race.

As a result An Giang finished in fourth place. The national championships will continue today with men’s and women’s mass start events.

The tournament comprises eight cross-country events and 12 road races. Six events are new this year - the men’s and women’s cross-country team relay, 500m, men’s 4,000m and women’s 3,000m.

The tourney will finish on Saturday.

(Source: Viet Nam News)