Route for national cycling champs; Lai retains rural cycling tour lead; Competitors set for youth games

The road race will be in Ba Ria, while An Giang will host the terrain events.

The best riders in the country will be taking part, including defending champion Mai Cong Hieu.

His Dong Thap team took nine golds, two silvers and two bronze medals at the event last year that was held in Hoa Binh province.

The finals are scheduled for October 11.

Lai retains rural cycling tour lead

Le Tan Lai has held on to the lead in the National Cycling to Rural Areas Tournament after five stages.

Lai, who rides for Ifaco Chau Phu, was second in yesterday’s stage from Chau Doc in An Giang province to Rach Gia in Kien Giang in 8 hours 11 minutes and 27 seconds.

Nguyen Hoang Sang, of Long Xuyen An Giang team, won the stage in 3:10.35.

Tran Duy Thai, of Military Zone 7, is leading the juniors in 8:11.36.

Ifaco Chau Phu now top the table, followed by Long Xuyen An Giang and Chau Thanh An Giang.

The 88km sixth stage today runs from Hau Giang province’s Vi Thanh town to Soc Trang.

Competitors set for youth games

Viet Nam will have a large team at the inaugural Asian Youth Games in Singapore from June 29 to July 7.

Viet Nam will send a squad of 46 members with 32 athletes, six coaches and 11 officials, doctors and specialists.

The athletes will compete in table tennis, shooting, athletics, swimming, bowling and diving.

Athletics and diving contests are on June 30 at Bishan Stadium and Toa Payoh Sports Hall while on July 1 bowling is at the Orchid Country Club, shooting at the SAFRA Yishun and table tennis in the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Swimming competitions are at the Singapore Sports School on July 2.

The games aim to celebrate youth, sports and learning in a friendly competition that includes Olympic sporting values of excellence, friendship and respect.

This multi-sport event will feature more than 1,000 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 45 nations under the Olympic Council of Asia family.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News