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| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
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Tour de Lanka : Mongolian Ulzil wins stage - 6 Leslie Fernando reporting from Ratnapura Thirty-seven-year-old Ulzil Orshith Jansren of Mongolia won the 6th stage of the Tour de Lanka cycling classic worked off from Kandy to Ratnapura yesterday. Ulzil, competing for the second time in Sri lanka rode with tremendous determination and skill to cross the finish line clocking three hours 2 minutes and 33 seconds covering a distance of 139.3 kilometres. Ulzil, who was placed second in the 2nd stage from Colombo to Anuradhapura on Tuesday, first participated here in February this year at the Tour de Sri Lanka and came fifth. Chi Yin Leung of Marco Polo finished second followed by Sampath Krishantha of Sri Lanka in third place, Frank Terwel of Netherlands Global Wheeler SC, who won the 2nd stage, fourth and Navinda Kelum of Sri Lanka fifth. All first five riders timed the identical timing of 3 hours 2 minutes and 33 seconds. Ulzil, Manager of International Export Company in Mongolia said that it was great to win a stage and I will make every endeavour to become the champion rider after the seventh stage. He has vast experience participating in several international meets. Neequaye Dsane of Marco Polo was the best sprinter at Eheliyagoda. Among the local riders, Sampath Krishantha, Navinda Kelum, Anton Perera of Air Force, Pradeep Kumara of Mixed Team and Thilanga Silva of Sri Lanka Army put up an encouraging performances to finish among the first ten yesterday. The 87 riders were flagged off by Sujeewa Jayatilaka, ANCL Publicity Manager opposite Lake House Branch, Kandy. The cyclists started off confidently and rode at a terrific speed. At Kadugannawa, the fist bunch of 16 riders Ulzil, Chi, Sampath, Frank, Navinda, Narabut (Mongolia), Anton, Pradeep, Thilanga, Necquaye Dsane (Marco Polo), Alexandera (Netherland), Sisira Kumara, Warren Jesse (England), Goskaal (Netherland), Anil Silva, S. K. Warnashantha broke away and formed the first bunch riding with ease and comfort. They were in the lead from the rest of the field passing Galigamuwa, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Avissawella, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita to finish line opposite Ratnapura Municipal Council, maintaining a high speed of 46 kmph. According to N. Karunaratne, Chief Commissaire of the Tour de Lanka that local riders are facing stiff opposition from the foreign riders and they should be more alert in their riding skills if the cyclists are to gain major honours. The Manager of the foreign terms stated that the race so far is fair and the officials and the organisers should be commended for their great efforts in completing the 915 km gruelling racing event. The Tour de Lanka which has been revived after a lapse of eight years, is organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) and conducted by the Interim Committee for cycling in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Police. This prestigious event is co-sponsored by the National Savings Bank, DSI Samson Group, Holcim and Sign Tech Advertising Services Limited with the Independent Television Network and Lakhanda Radio as the official electronic media sponsor. The event is also organised to coincide with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's tenth anniversary in office as President. The Tour de Lanka is also conducted to coincide with the 'Nilwala Harasara', a concept initiated by the Minister of Media and Information Mangala Samaraweera. Today, the seventh and the final stage from Colombo to Matara start at 7.00 a.m. opposite Lake House. The riders will proceed along Galle Road, Moratuwa, Panadura, Kalutara, Maggona, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Galle, Thalpe, Ahangama, Mirissa, Nupe and finish opposite Uyanwatte Stadium, Matara covering a distance of 159.4 kilometres. The distribution of awards will be held immediately after the race at Matara. The total prize money for Tour de Lanka winner 1st to 20th place - Rs. 432,000. The prize money for Nilwala Savariya Standard Men's Race and Ladies Standard Race - Rs. 161,000. Team Championships - Rs. 10,000. The stage winners from the start of the Tour de Lanka (1st stage prolong time trial) - H. L. Krishanthi (SL German Friendship CS), 2nd stage - Frank Terwel (Netherland Global Wheeler SC), 3rd stage - Maddumage Kapila (SL Army), 4th stage - Gihan Shammika (SL German Friendship SC), 5th stage - (circuit race in Kandy) was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. 1st stage - Panadura to Moratuwa (5 kms), 2nd stage - Colombo to Anuradhapura via Dambulla (245 km), 3rd stage - Anuradhapura to Trincomalee (161 km), 4th stage - Kantale to Kandy (149 km), 5th stage - Kandy Circuit Race (50.4 km) cancelled, 6th stage - Kandy to Ratnapura. John Seneviratne, Minister of Justice graced the occasion at the distribution of awards to stage winners at Ratnapura yesterday. |
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