New Zealand cyclist wins fourth stage of cross-Vietnam race

Cyclist Patrick Patterson timed his sprint perfectly to secure victory in Can Tho during stage 22 of the HTV Television Cup 2026 cross-Vietnam cycling race.

With the overall rankings largely determined as the race approached its end, the 45 km stage around Can Tho this morning focused solely on stage wins. Teams prioritized a "stay together and arrive with enough riders" strategy, aiming to position their top sprinters for the final dash.

The sprint to the finish of stage 22.

After 57 minutes 51 seconds, the leading sprinters pushed their pedals. Patterson, representing Vinh Long, timed his move perfectly to win, beating Lam Gia Hao (Dong Thap) and Marchuk Dzianis (Dong Nai). He received a prize of 20 million VND. The stage's average speed was 46,67 km/h.

Patterson, one of the 13 foreign riders, had previously won stages three, 8, and 11. However, he was eliminated from individual title contention after failing to complete the mountain stage to Da Lat, which crossed Khanh Le Pass. The New Zealand rider's win today is thus an honorary one, not contributing to his individual standings.

Patterson celebrates winning stage 22 of the HTV Television Cup 2026 cross-Vietnam cycling race, noon 27/4. *Photo: Huy Pham*

As the main peloton finished together, the overall classifications remained unchanged. Yarash (New Group) retained the Yellow Jersey, while Pham Le Xuan Loc (Quan khu 7) held onto the Orange Jersey for the best Vietnamese rider. Dzianis continued to wear the Green Jersey as the King of Sprint, and Tran Trong Phuc (Dong Nai) kept the White Jersey for the best young rider.

Vinama maintained its first-place position in the team standings, followed by Cong an TP HCM and Dong Nai. Vinama's rider Moise, who fell and sustained scratches yesterday, still competed today to defend his Red Jersey – King of Mountains title, which he had secured on stage 16.

The TP HCM Television Cup - Ton Dong A 2026 national cycling race runs from 3/4 to 30/4. The peloton began in Phu Tho, the ancestral land of Vietnam, a region deeply connected to the worship of the Hung Kings and the sacred Hung Temple historical site. The race covers 25 stages, totaling 2,745 km, moving through provinces and cities from north to south, before concluding at Reunification Hall in TP HCM on 30/4.

On 28/4, stage 23 will take place, from Can Tho to My Tho (Dong Thap), covering 114 km.