NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Leading professional cyclists participated in the 5th Chandigarh Cyclothon held today. Chandigarh Tourism in association Avon cycles hosted the mega Cycling event; which was conceptualised by Sports 13 & organised by Star Biz India. The Professional cyclists showed their cycling and physical prowess in the gruelling show of sporting talent which was the biggest attraction on the wide Jan Marg, this early morning, when Punjab Governor & Administrator V P Singh Badnore & Parminder S. Dhindsa, President, Cycling Federation of India flagged off the 60 Kms Pro race.
The race saw cyclists looping around the magnificent Jan Marg like a colourful necklace donning attractive head gear and attire. The professional cycling event had prize money of Rs 2.5 lakhs which was shared by the top cyclists of the country. The winner was Manjeet Singh from Indian Air Force with 22 points, Dilawar from Indian Railways was second with 13 points and Akbar Khan of J& K attained 3rd position with 11 points. The winner was given Rs 70,000, first runner up Rs 60,000 and 2nd Runner up Rs 45, 000. Before the Pro Race an Amateur race was held, in this 1st Position was attained by Ashish Kadian, 2nd by Pranav Mohindra while Sonu Gupta from Mumbai came 3rd. The prize money in the amateur race was Rs 50,000.
Chandigarh Cyclothon which was dedicated to spreading the message of Organ Donation received a good response. V P Singh Badnore, Governor Punjab & Administrator UT Said, “Today Organ Donation Day is being celebrated all over the World, so we have dedicated the Cyclothon also to this noble cause.” Added Badnore, “I call upon residents of Chandigarh to also make Chandigarh a city where transactions are done in a cashless manner, using latest technology options. As Chandigarh is a city inhabited by educated people so it should lead the way in this regard.”
Cycling enthusiasts were all over Jan Marg’s North end. The non competitive segment saw in the 4 kms segment ride for School children, Senior Citizens & Proud to be a Girl ride. Three rides were organised in the 8 kms category. These included a Fun ride, a corporate ride & Youth for change ride. According to Mandeep Pahwa, ED, Avon Cycles, which sponsored the event, “The event showed the enthusiasm amongst participants who wanted to give a message of health and safeguarding the fragile environment by cycling and not using fossil fuel based transport.
We also in our company try to associate with such events that motivate people to use Cycles as a mode of transport keeping in view the problems being created by fuel based transport in the present era.” Onkar Singh, Secretary General, Cycling Federation of India(CFI), was also present. Said Yadvinder Singh, Consultant Director, Sports 13, “The registrations made for Chandigarh Cyclothon is a pointer that cycling is quite popular amongst all age groups. We will look into ways to give a fillip to cycling and will making the next event even bigger than this one.”
Senior Chandigarh Administration officials like Adviser Parimal Rai, Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal & Director Tourism Jitender Yadav were also present during the event. Chandigarh Administration has been promoting Bike Tourism events from time to time to encourage the people of all-ages to commute short distances on bi-cycles.