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| Sunday, 18 April 2004 |
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Over 500 for Rider Cyclo Cross by LESLIE FERNANDO Over 500 competitors are expected to participate at the Rider Cyclo Cross 2004 conducted by the National Mountain Biking Association to be held on April 25 at the Race Course, Nuwara-Eliya commencing at 10.00 a.m. "This popular event amongst the youth in the hill country will be jointly sponsored by Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the ANCL to coincide with the Salalihini Wasanthaya", said Amal Suriyage, President, National Mountain Biking Association (NMBA) at a press briefing held at the ANCL board room on Friday. Suriyage said that riders from registered clubs affiliated with NMBA have been invited to compete at this event. Mountain Biking is also a tourist attraction and there will be active participation by tourists from hotels in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya. Seven events-under-13 boys and girls, under-16 boys, under-19 boys and girls, fun riders, masters 45 years and over and sports open challenge are on the card. The distance will be 1.5 km for junior, 2.5 km for senior, open 25 kilometres. All riders are expected to wear helmets. Cash and gifts will be presented from first placed to sixth position in all races. Gold, silver and bronze medals also will be on offer for first three places in all seven races. Meanwhile, under-19 boys champion rider will receive the Nuwara-Eliya Mayor's Challenge Cup and Sports Open Challenge winner will receive Riders Challenge Trophy and Alloy Riding Mountain Bike. The other six winners will also receive mountain bikes. Suriyage added that the organisers with the assistance of the Ceylon Tourist Board hotels will invite foreign in-bound tourists to participate. Locals to be invited by having an entry coupon in the ANCL newspapers, sending E-mail invitations through clubs and schools. Further details could be had from Patrick Hapuarachchi 0777/260570, Shabbir A. I. Jafferjee - 0777/732650 and Amal - 0777/881650. Fax- 4718289. The NMBA has already identified off road dirt track approximately 2 to 3.5 km circuits. The tracks will be restructured to give maximum riding pleasure and protection to the participants under the able guidance of Peter Bluck, the British track expert on Mountain Biking. "Special provisions permitting spectators to witness the event having a carnival atmosphere will be part of this plan", said Suriyage. |
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