Swiss cyclist secures first stage victory in trans-Vietnam race

Christoph Janssen claimed first place, finishing one minute ahead of the chasing peloton in stage 12 of the HTV Television Cup 2026 trans-Vietnam cycling race.

The 178 km stage from Quang Ngai to Quy Nhon on 15/4 presented a formidable challenge. Cyclists battled not only the long distance and relentless climbs but also scorching temperatures, high humidity, heat radiating from the road, and strong headwinds.

Students cheer for cyclists during stage 12 of the HTV Television Cup 2025 national cycling race from Quang Ngai to Quy Nhon (Gia Lai) on the afternoon of 15/4. Photo: Hong Phuong

To protect the yellow jersey for Yarash Uladzislau, riders from TPHCM New Group and TPHCM Vinama actively set the pace, controlling the speed. They only permitted small breakaway groups, not contending for the general classification, to contest intermediate sprints.

Following several attacks, a group of 8 riders successfully formed a breakaway. Dong Thap held an advantage with two members, Janssen and Le Hai Dang, enabling them to dictate a high pace towards the sprint points. Pham Quoc Thien (An Giang), Dang Van Phap (Vinh Long), and Le Hai Dang (Dong Thap) each secured sprint victories.

Janssen, a powerful Swiss cyclist, was also in the lead group, accelerating and bringing 7 other riders with him. However, his weaker sprint capabilities prevented him from winning any intermediate sprints. In sprint 2, Hai Dang, Van Phap, and Dang Thanh Duoc (Ha Noi) claimed the top three spots. Dang Thanh Duoc then won sprint 3, with Quoc Thien and Hai Dang taking second and third.

With 20 km remaining, Janssen initiated a solo attack from the main group. Recognizing the threat, the Vinh Long team organized a chase in the final 8 km, attempting to reel him in. However, Janssen delivered an exceptional performance, maintaining his lead to cross the finish line alone, securing victory in Quy Nhon. This also marked Dong Thap's first win of the season.

Janssen's solo finish.

Janssen, 25, hails from Dürrenroth, Switzerland, and is one of 13 international riders participating in the event. His career includes stints with UCI Continental, Huansheng - Vonoa - Taishan Sport Team, WorldTour, and ProTeam level teams. Notable achievements include a 3rd place stage finish at the Tour of Poyang Lake 2025 and 4th in the U23 Swiss individual time trial championship.

As the main peloton finished one minute behind Janssen, the overall classifications remained unchanged. Yarash (TPHCM New Group) retained the yellow jersey, while Marchuk Dzianis kept the green jersey. The orange jersey, awarded to the best Vietnamese rider, went to Pham Le Xuan Loc (Quan khu 7). Tran Trong Phuc (Dong Nai) held the white jersey for the best young rider, and Pierantozzi Lucio (Dong Nai) secured the red jersey as king of the mountains. TPHCM Vinama maintained its lead in the team classification.

Janssen crosses the finish line alone in stage 12 of the HTV Television Cup 2025 national cycling race from Quang Ngai to Quy Nhon (Gia Lai) on the afternoon of 15/4. Photo: Hong Phuong

The Ho Chi Minh City Television Cup - Ton Dong A 2026 national cycling race runs from 3/4 to 30/4. The peloton began its journey in Phu Tho, the ancestral land of the Vietnamese people, steeped in the worship of the Hung Kings and home to the sacred Hung Temple historical relic site. The race comprises 25 stages, covering a total distance of 2,745 km, traversing provinces and cities from north to south, before concluding at Reunification Hall in TPHCM on 30/4.

Tomorrow, 16/4, stage 13 will feature a 50 km loop around Quy Nhon (Gia Lai).