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Five years since Pune hosted cyclists from around the country it’s time again for cycles to roll into the city with the 16th National Road Cycling Championship to be held in Nigdi, (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) from December 1 to 4.
Cycling enthusiasts will see a quantum jump in participation from the last edition that was incidentally held this year in April in Patna, Bihar. About 600 cyclists in various age categories in men, women, boys and girls will take part in the championship wherein 21 units and 4 member boards have sent in their entries to Cycling Federation of India (CFI).
Trending
The Maharashtra Cycling Association (MCA), which has been entrusted to organize the championship has chosen the Grade Separator between Nashik Phata and Nigdi of 8-km distance. A entire loop of the Grade Separator will give a distance of 16-km and accordingly starting points will be marked for various distance races.
Speaking at a press conference, MCA President Azam Pansare, said, “It is a great honour for MCA to host this event. On our part we are ensuring that we put up a good show and give all participants full value.”
“The Grade Separator will be cordoned off specially for the championship to make the route traffic-free for the entire duration of the championship,” said Pratap Jadhav, Honorary Secretary of the MCA.
With such a big participation, this National championship will be by far the biggest by number. It also shows the growing popularity of cycling, both as a sport and as recreation at much lower costs than the fuel-powered vehicles.
Cycling has seen growth in recent years thanks to CFI’s efforts to broad-base the sport by organizing Cyclothons (basically road races of longer distances) in various cities since the past three years. The CFI has been offering prize money is Rs 5 lakh per Cyclothon, with incentives for both coaches and players.
As the CFI gets no funding from the government, this attempt by the MCA to host the biggest event in recent times is appreciable,” Singh said.
Cycling Federation of India, Honorary Secretary General, Onkar Singh added, “We are happy to be back in the city after a long time… It’s great to have MCA volunteer and stand up to take on the responsibility of hosting this event,” he added.
On CFI’s endevour, to popularize the sport, Singh added, “The target is to reach out to as many cities… which in turn would increase interest and over and above help the regular and serious participants to practice.”
“It’s a feat by MCA to host the event for second time and all credit goes to our president Azam Pansare who made it possible,” Jadhav said.
“In hosting the championship in Pune, we at MCA hope that the event will serve as an eye opener for several to take up cycling in these days of soaring fuel prices.”
“The championship has attracted record entries and for once the event will be conducted away from regular traffic not disrupting daily road commuters. More so, the layout (grade separator) chosen for the championship is such that anyone can come and look and not hamper any regular activity,” the MCA Honorary Secretary explained.
Minister, PWD and Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, Chhagan Bhujbal will inaugurate and declare open the championship on Thursday. MLAs Anna Bansode, Laxman Jagtap, Vilas Lande and Maharashtra Olympic Association General Secretary Balasaheb Landge will also be present on the occasion as guest of honours.
The inauguration is scheduled for 9.00 am on Thursday.
EARTH RIDE
Maharashtra Cycling Association has come up with a unique cycle ride aimed at creating awareness with regard to environment. Hence, an innovative ‘Earth Ride’ for the common masses is planned and will be part of the championship wherein all enthusiastic non-participating cyclists who can come and enjoy riding on the championship track.
Two days – Saturday 3rd December and Sunday 4th December – has been kept aside for this ‘Earth Ride’ for the cause of global warming, plastic hazards, save fuel and reduction of fuel.
Honorary Secretary of the MCA Pratap Jadhav, said, “The ideology of this rally is to have people come out in numbers and enjoy cycling. The idea is three pronged – promote cycling and likewise urge citizens keep away from their day to day drives in fuelled vehicals, apart from lending support to the championship”.
“The event is being held so that anyone can come and enjoy cycling. We want people to come in numbers and participate and have fun.”
On Saturday, the Earth Run is scheduled at 10.00 am, while on Sunday at 10.30 am.
Key Contests
In the men’s section Karnataka, Railways, Services and Punjab Police will be key competitors while in the women’s section Kerala and member Board teams are strong claimants for the medals.
At the last Nationals in Patna, Karnataka walked away with 7 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze medals, followed by Kerala with 7-4-7 collection. Maharashtra returned home with one gold, two silver and one bronze medal, but this being home turf, the state cyclists should snap more medals during the next four days.
Manender Singh had won the gold medal for Maharashtra in Patna, in the 30-km Individual Time Trial for Boys Under-19. In the same event, Abhinandan Bhosale took the silver medal. Deepali Shildhankar won the other silver medal, in 20-km Individual Time Trial for Girls Under-19, while the lone bronze medal came in the team event—the 40-km Team Time Trial for Boy’s Under-19. Maninder Singh, Abhinandan Bhosale, Ganesh Pawar and Swapnil Mane made up the team.
Salient features:
· Organisers: Maharashtra Cycling Association under aegis of the Cycling Federation of India.
· Participants: 21 units and 4 boards
· Total events: 30 in 11 categories.
· Categories: Combined events in three sections–senior, junior, sub-junors; veterans in men and women; Under-19, Under-17, Under-15, Under-13 boys and girls; and Master’s Race 35-50 years and Veteran’s above 50 years and Indian made cycles for men.
· Pune is hosting the championship after a gap of five years. It last hosted the 10th edition.
· Prizes: Trophies with certificates.
Medal tally of 15th National championship (read as gold-silver-bronze):
Karnataka 7-8-6, Kerala 7-4-7, Railways 4-5-1, Haryana 3-3-2, Services 2-1-0, Maharashtra 1-2-1, Andhra Pradesh 1-0-0, Rajasthan 0-1-3, Orissa 0-1-0, Delhi 0-0-2, Tamil Nadu 0-0-2, Madhya Pradesh 0-0-1.
