Godrej Eon Tour De India concludes at Buddh International Circuit

German paracyclist was the show stopper, who clocked 1:24 hrs in the marathon distance

2500+ participants, 100+ international cyclists, 50+ national cyclists

Participants at Tour de India 2013

Delhi, 22^nd December 2013: India witnessed the final leg of the 2nd edition of the UCI certified, biggest cycling celebration of the nation – Godrej Eon Tour de India 2013, in association with Avon cycle in Delhi, on December 22nd. The cycling event was marked by the presence of President of Cycling Federation of India Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Onkar Singh along with the promoter Dr. Akil Khan and Mr. Ramesh Chembath, Assistant Vice President of Godrej Eon who was there to initiate green ways of living through cycling, OS. Pahwa, founder Avon cycles who was encouraging the cyclists to take cycling to the next level and make it a national sport. Other guests who were present at the event included Principal Secretary of Sports, Finance Minister of Punjab and likes. Miss India International Rochelle Maria Rao anchored the event. The cycling event saw a turnout of around 2000+participants who were seen enjoying their ride at the Buddh International Circuit. Some of the biggest names from the world of cycling teams from across the countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Europe) were seen competing with each other for the medals at the final leg of Tour de India.

The event saw CFI approved riders from 6 nationalities taking part in the different category of races.Promoted by ID Sports, Cycling Federation of India and UCI and marketed by Total Sports Asia was a multi-city event was hosted in Mumbai on December 15th and Jaipur on 17th this year.

WINNERSInternational Cyclothon:

1^st: Mohd. Nor Umardi, Malayasia
2^nd: Nuramirull Fakhruddin Mazuki, Malayasia
3^rd: Satbir Singh, Haryana, India

Half Cylothon:

1^st: Navneet Singh, Delhi
2^nd: Trilok Kumar, Jaipur
3^rd: Vijay Kumar, Jaipur

This year, for the first time paracyclist Stefan Voormans (43) was seen competing with professional cyclists and AmitSadh (actor in Kai Po Che). The German national was 17years when he slipped on ice while riding a scooter and crashed but inspite of losing a limb, he started to train himself in 2002 and success embraced him when he won the race on wheelchair. But tragedy revisited him in 2006 when he collided with a car but despite of trivial wounds, he trained hard to win a triathlon. He kept improving his timings and is here to race with champions at Tour De India. He has clocked 1:24hours for a marathon distance.

Amit Sadh with Stefan Voormans at Tour de India, 2013

Stefan Voormans, paracyclist who is here in India for first time to race says “I was doing 40 km while training and then decided I can complete the marathon inspite of over 60 surgeries till date. I am most excited to be in the capital city of India and race on the much known Tour De India. I race on a special wheel chair that has a third wheel in front to allow me to not only lean into the vehicle and be aerodynamic with allowing more maneuverability.”

Speaking at the event, Dr. Akil Khan, Chairman ID Sports said, “We are thrilled at the level of interest the event has attracted this year. Through Godrej Eon Tour de India we plan to match up to the largeness of Tour de France in the coming years; a cycling event that runs through 21 cities and the future of World cycling living in India. We saw a lot of corporate participation, especially able champions, masses and international cyclists who are a part of top races of the world participating in the final race scheduled in Delhi.”

Brand Ambassador, John Abraham on being associated with the Edition II of Tour De India says“I am very excited about my association with Tour De India because cycling has been a fun activity that is enjoyed by people every age. It is a fantastic workout that not only enables you to derive pleasure, but also goes a long way in ensuring your overall fitness. The best part about this sporting activity is that, you find cycling a delightful experience, without even realizing that it has benefited to your body. Thus, when you like pursuing a particular activity, then carrying it out doesn’t appear cumbersome to you.”

Kamal Nandi, Executive Vice President, Godrej Eon said, “The Green Cause has been imbibed in the DNA of Godrej since its very inception. We at Godrej Appliances are committed to this cause and have been pioneers in the industry in developing and promoting eco-friendly and energy- efficient products. Today under our corporate philosophy of ‘Good & Green’ we have started many initiatives. One of the many green projects closest to our hearts is the Godrej Eon One Watt Project which is about spreading awareness on energy conservation. Tour de India and cycling also promote a greener lifestyle which resonates well with our philosophy and hence we are supporting this event.”

Onkar Singh Secretary General, Cycling Federation of India said “We are extremely proud to flag-off the finale of the 2^nd edition of Tour De India in Delhi today. With this initiative, we aim at making cycling a part of a popular sporting culture in the country; encourage potential cycling superstars by providing them with a platform and an opportunity to develop their inherent talent into a real-life profession.”

Dr.Akil Khan, Ramesh Chembath,Onkar Singh and Ojas S Desai with the winner of International cyclothon

ID Sports has conducted seven Cyclothons in the last 3 years, 1st year was in association with Salman Khan tapping 2 major metros close to 15,000 riders in Mumbai and Delhi and 2nd year saw the race going to Nasik ghats with finales again in Mumbai in 2011 with more than17000 riders burning the roads followed by last year in 2012 when the race started from Sea Link Bandra to go across Dal lake in Srinagar and concluded at the Buddh Circuit in Delhi with 20,000 riders across 3 cities.

Edited by Staff Editor