Russian cyclist wins Red Jersey in trans-Vietnam cycling race
By conquering the most crucial mountain pass of the race, foreign rider Savva Novikov claimed the Red Jersey for King of the Mountains during Stage 16 of the 2025 HTV National Cycling Tournament, held at noon on April 21.
This morning’s stage, running 141 kilometers from Nha Trang to Da Lat, was decisive in determining the final standings. In addition to steep and mountainous terrain, riders had to conquer Khanh Le Pass, which stretches 29 km and lies over 1,600 meters above sea level.
Shortly after the start in Nha Trang, 13 riders—none of whom were in contention for major titles—broke away and maintained a high pace. However, the main peloton, which included the title contenders, kept the gap at just over a minute, not rushing to chase.
Once the race entered the mountainous segment, Samuel Jenner (Vinh Long) launched an attack. As he was third in the overall standings and a direct threat to the leader, Fokin (An Giang), who holds the Yellow Jersey, was closely followed. Another strong foreign rider, Novikov (Binh Duong), also launched a powerful move to catch up with the front group. All three are exceptional climbers and quickly increased the gap with the chasers. Spectators lining the route repeatedly gasped in admiration as Jenner, Fokin, and Novikov climbed with the ease of riding on flat terrain, maintaining an impressive pace.
Near the summit of Khanh Le Pass, Jenner fell behind, leaving only Fokin and Novikov in a head-to-head battle. Both Russians kept a strong pace, but Novikov surged ahead to crest the pass first. Victory on this Category 1 climb earned him an additional 30 points, allowing him to overtake Fokin and seize the Red Jersey.
At Giang Ly Pass—the final climb of the tournament—Novikov once again proved his dominance, reaching the summit first. That made it four consecutive mountain victories for him: An Khe, Mang Yang, Khanh Le, and Giang Ly. With the race not yet over, Novikov now only needs to finish the remaining stages within the allowed time to secure the overall Red Jersey.
After conquering the two mountain passes, Fokin and Novikov maintained a high pace toward the finish line in the flower city of Da Lat. A second group of six riders—Johnny Hoogerland, Samuel Jenner, Nguyen Hoang Sang, Pham Le Xuan Loc, Ethan Batt, and Loic Desriac—pushed hard to close the gap, but their efforts were in vain against the superior strength of the two Russian riders.
At the finish, Fokin crossed first, with Novikov in second, completing a highly successful stage for both. Their finishing time was 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 14 seconds, at an average speed of 34.749 km/h.
- Fokin retained the Yellow Jersey after Stage 17.
- Kergozou wore the Green Jersey for best sprinter.
- The Orange Jersey, awarded to the best Vietnamese rider, remained with Nguyen Hoang Sang (Dong Nai).
- Pham Le Xuan Loc (Military Zone 7) continued wearing the White Jersey for best young rider.
- Dong Nai led the team standings.
The 2025 HTV Cup National Cycling Tournament, sponsored by Ton Dong A, runs from April 3 to April 30, 2025. The race starts in Tuyen Quang, a historic site tied to the Tan Trao Revolutionary Base, and spans 25 stages over 3,000 km, traversing Vietnam from North to South, finishing at the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City—symbolically timed with the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam.
- The overall Yellow Jersey winner receives VND 200 million.
- The Orange Jersey: VND 100 million
- The Green and Red Jerseys: VND 50 million each
- The White Jersey: VND 30 million
- The team champion: VND 100 million
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