Niluka Shyamali of Kalutara District won the Women’s Elite race while Ayesha Madushani (Ratnapura) finished second. Madushani Ranasinghe (Anuradhapura) came in third. The Under-23 Men’s race saw Nidush Nirantha of Kurunegala reaching the finish line first, followed by Ashen Tharuka (Gampaha) who finished second.

His teammate Charith Fernando secured the third place. Pasindu Lakshan (Kalutara) won the Men’s Junior event while Madumali Fernando of Kurunegala won the women’s junior race.

The Masters (40-55 years) race was won by W S Jeewananda of Kalutara and G Thomas Perera won the over 55 race.

The men’s elite riders’ race was affected by rain in the last lap.

However the competitors did not give up and cycled amidst heavy rain and Naveen Ruchira sprinted ahead of the others at the last moment to become the winner.

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and minister Duminda Dissanayake flaged off the men’s elite race. Earlier on the same day, the Ministers participated in the “Cycling for all” event which was organized by the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka to foster the mission of its international governing body UCI.

North Western Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne, Minister for Rural Development P. Harrison, North Western Province Sports also joined the ride which was worked off on a 14.67 km long circuit.

EVENT RESULTS:

Men’s Elite:

1: Naveen Ruchira (Gampaha)

2:Jeewan Jayasinghe

(Gampaha)

3: B Wajira Pushpakumara (Anuradhapura)

Under 23 Men

1: Nidush Nirantha (Kurunegala) 2.09.50

2: Ashen Tharuka (Gampaha) 2.09.50

3: Charith Fernando (Gampaha) 2.09.50

Elite women

1: Niluka Shyamali (Kaluthara) 57.19.8

2: Ayesha Madushani (Rathnapura ) 57.19.8

3: H A D I Madushani Ranasnghe (Anuradhapura ) 57.19.8

Men’s Junior

1: Pasindu Lakshan (Kalutara) 1.06.50

2: Awishka Madosa (Kalutara) 1.06.50

3: Prabash Madhusanka (Gampaha) 1.06.50

Women’s Junior

1: Madumali Fernando (Kurunegala ) 37.47.0

2: W Sandunika Chandramali (Anuradhapura) 37.48.4

3: Udeshini Niranjana Kumarasinghe (Anuradhapura) 37.48.9

Master’s event ( 40-55 )

1: W S Jeewananda (Kalutara)

2: L A D Shelton (Kalutara)

3: M R Sarath Amarasinghe (Anuradhapura)

Masters’ event ( over 55 )

1: G Thomas Perera (Gampaha)

2: N C Kulathunge (Anuradhapura)

3: W Siwadasa (Kalutara)

This year, the main sponsor is Samsung – Sinhagiri Pvt Limited.

The timing event will start on October 30 at 9.00 am on Kawarakkulama road near the Air Force Camp and two players from each district are eligible to participate. For the men’s open event, the number of competitors will be decided according to the number of applicants from each district. There will be no limit for Women’s Open, Junior Men’s and Junior Women’s events.

There will be two special events, age group 40-55 category event and Over 55 years veteran events which will be held parallel to the main event. A cycle rally will be held on October 31 from 7.00 am under the theme ‘A cycle for all’.

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera, North Central Provincial Chief Minister Peshala Jayarathne, Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Women’s Affairs Minister Chandrani Bandara, Anuradhapura Mayor, Sri Lanka Cycling Association’s President Dr Amal Harsha de Silva and doctors, lawyers, businessmen, state officers, Army officers and students of the area will be participate for the rally.

The first event of the championship is Junior Men’s event which the Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera will flag off.

The award ceremony will be held on the same day evening and Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera will be the chief guest.

North Central Provincial Chief Minister Peshala Jayarathne, Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Women’s Affairs Minister Chandrani Bandara, Anuradhapura Mayor, North Central Provincial Chief Secretary, Sri Lanka Cycling Association’s President Dr Amal Harsha de Silva and Samsung – Sinhagiri Pvt Limited officers will participate at the award ceremony.

The All Island 144 km Thindara open Cycle Race organized by the Gampaha District Cycle Society was held at the Makola Town last Satruday.

Thushan Rajapaksa emerged victorious while Nidush Nirantha finished second ahead of Jeewan Jayasinghe who was placed third.

The race was sponsored by Makola Thindara Plaza owner Deepal Nishantha while Defence State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene was the chief guest.