LookAtVietnam – Le Ngoc Thanh earned his maiden victory at the 2009 Mekong Delta Cycling Tour after final stage yesterday, September 9.

Riding high: Le Ngoc Thanh kisses his trophy on the winner’s podium after winning the Mekong Delta Cycling Tour, which ended on Sep. 9 in An Giang province.

He overcame Dinh Quoc Viet of the Domesco Dong Thap team by one second to top the overall standings after five stages, while Military Zone 7’s Hua Minh Tuan came in third.

“I’m very surprised by the victory,” said Thanh, 24, who won the Binh Duong Television Cycling Tournament.

“This year, the competition was very strong. I tried my best during the race,” added Thanh, who also paid tribute to his support riders and coach.

Vinh Long team’s Bui Minh Thuy, a member of the national team, took the green jersey (for the best finish cyclist) after five stages, beating his teammate on the national team, Do Tuan Anh of Domesco Dong Thap, by one point.

The Military Zone 7 team saw success when they also won the team award, with 39 hours 53 minutes and 53 seconds. Sai Gon Plant Protection 1 placed second and the Domesco Dong Thap third.

During the competition, riders on the national team rode well. Nguyen Van Tai, who clinched the yellow jersey in two stages ,ranked fifth, while Nguyen Nam Cuc ranked 10th in the overall classification.

The tournament was launched for the first time since 1992 and was organised by provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

The 19th race will be hosted by Ben Tre province, and the 20th race will return to An Giang province, which debuted the event.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News