Wasantha Harischandra wins Pinwatte Gems Cycle Tour

by A. C. de Silva

CYCLING: Wasantha Harischandra of the Sri Lanka Army won the 5th annual Pinwatte Gems 'Cycle Tour' over 170 k.m. in Pelmadulla earlier this month.

The race was conducted by the District Cycling Association Ratnapura and District Provincial Secretariat Pelmadulla in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka.

Large crowds gathered along the road on the route of the race. There were over 50 cyclists on standard machines that participated in the race and the cyclists were flagged off by Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne - the MP for Ratnapura.

The cyclists rode from Ratnapura to Balangoda and then back again on the same route via Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Avissawella, turning from Avissawella back on the same route via Ratnapura and finishing at Pelmadulla opposite Pinwatte Gems.

Large crowds thronged the route and the cyclists were in bunches - Wasantha Harischandra of the Sri Lanka Army with Jeewan Sadakalum of Ports Authority and Dinesh Danushke of Sri Lanka Air Force separated from the bunch on the journey to Balangoda and they kept the lead of 18 minutes from the rest.

There was a thrilling finish between the above three riders and Wasantha Harischandra of Sri Lanka Army went on to win the race. Harischandra - a top cyclist from the Army was a nominee of the South Asian Games and also a representative at the recent Asian Championships in Dubai.

Results: 1. Wasantha Harischandra (Sri Lanka Army) time: 4 hours 41 mins 39.0 secs. Rs. 50,000 and (Pinwatta Gems Trophy): 2. Jeewan Sadakulum (Ports Authority, SL) 4 hours 41 mins 39 secs (Rs. 35,000), 3. Dinesh Danushka (Sri Lanka Air Force) 4 hours 41 mins 39 secs (Rs. 20,000), 4. Nandana Wijethunga (Kalutara) (5 hours 1 min) - Rs. 15,000, 5. Asiri Kalum (Southern CC) 5 hours 1 min Rs. 10,000, 6. Gihan Pushpakumara (Kolonnawa) 5 hours 1 min, Rs. 5,000, 7. Janak Sumanaweera (Ratnapura) 5 hours 1 min, Rs. 5,000, 8. A. M. Maharoof (Golden Eagle, Ratnapura) 5 hours 1 min, Rs. 5,000. 9. Chamal Ranjith (Unattached) 5 hours 1 min (Rs. 5,000), 10. Asiri Fernando (Sri Lanka Army) 5 hours 1 min (Rs. 5,000).

Special prizes

Special prizes: For the cyclists who passed first in the following towns: Janak Sumanaweera (Ratnapura - Rs. 15,000, plus Rs. 5,000), A. M. Mahroof (Golden Eagle, Ratnapura), Rs. 10,000 plus Rs. 5,000, Pelmadulla: Wasantha Harischandra (Sri Lanka Army) Rs. 5,000: Ratnapura - Jeewan Sadakalum (Ports Authority, SL) Rs. 5,000: Eheliyagoda - Dinesh Danushka Sri Lanka Air Force) Rs. 5,000: Hidellana - Wasantha Harischandra (Sri Lanka Army) Rs. 5,000, Ratnapura Town Hall - Jeewan Sadakalum (Ports Authority SL) Rs. 5,000.

Ratnapura District

winners

Cyclists who finished 1st to 3rd from Ratnapura District: Janak Sumanaweera (Ratnapura) Rs. 15,000, A. M. Mahroof (Golden Eagle, Ratnapura), Rs. 10,000, Chamal Ranjith (Pelmadulla) Rs. 5,000.