Cyclists to vie for top honours in Pune-Baramati cycle race

Pune, July 20 (UNI) Cyclists from across the country will vie for top honours in the second edition of the 110-km open all India level Pune-Baramati cycle race, being jointly hosted by the Baramati Mandal and Maharashtra Cycling Asociation (MCA) under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) to be flagged off here on July 22.

MCA honorary secretary Pratap Jadhav and Baramati Mandal Pune President Shivajorao Kale told mediapersons here today that Rs 1.36 lakh will be at stake in the annual race, which also forms a part of the 49th birthday celebrations of the Pune District Guardian Minister Ajitdada Pawar.

The race, however, serves as the lung opener for the country's cyclists who stand to gain attractive prize money in ''Surprising Prime'' which is an added attraction as per the CFI guidelines.

MCA Secretary Jadhav said 'Surprising Prime' is of one kilometer sprint and is decided by Chief Judge Santosh Pohale.

Last year's winner of the prestigious Mumbai-Pune race Pankaj Marlesha of Maharashtra will face stiff competition from last year's champion Sarabjeet Singh of Punjab Police and runner-up Laman M Tredal of Karnataka and junior national champion Rahul Borde of the Krida Probhodini, Amit Jadhav and Sangarsh Shingare of Maharashtra among others, Mr Kale said.

Mr Kale said so far they have received 165 entries from all over the country and all of them have confirmed their participation. The numbers are expected to rise, he said.

Apart from the open event, the race is also being held for the Indian-made cycles so as to encourage cycling among the youths of the country. ''We would like to encourage and at the same time inculcate the pollution-free environment among the present generation,'' Mr Kale explained.

The open event offers a total prize money of Rs 85,000. The winner will get a purse of Rs 21,000, the runnerup Rs 15,000 and the third prize winner Rs 10,000. Besides the winner, the ''King of Diwe Ghat'' will be richer by Rs 3,000 while the second and third position winners will be awarded Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 respectively, Mr Kale said.

The top three cyclists at the prime at Jejuri after 39 kms will also be presented similar amounts Mr Kale said and added that the first three of the ''Suprise Prime'' will get Rs 4,000, Rs 2000 and Rs 1,500 respectively. In addition six consolation prizes of Rs 1,500 each will alao be given away.

Karnataka has entered the highest contingent of 22 riders while Rajasthan 18, Maharashtra 12, Railways 8, Services 12, Tami Nadu 11, South Central Railways 6, Andhra Pradesh 6, Krida Probhodini, Maharashtra 7.

The total prize money for the Indian made cycles section will be Rs 50,000. The winner will receive Rs 15,000, the runner-up Rs 10,000 and the third placed winner will get Rs 7,000. The cash awards will be given upto seventh places while consolation cash prizes of Rs 1,500 will be awarded to five finishers as well, Mr Kale said.

The race which will start from the Baramati Hostel Pune on Senapati Bapat road has been neutralised till Hadasar and the timing will be taken from there onwards, Mr Jadhav said.

UNI