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Bernard Perera reporting from Kandapola

Thousands of Estate Workers in Nuwara Eliya and Kandapola areas were treated with lots of entertainment when Tea Factory Hotel held its inaugural Cylcocross 2002 last Saturday at Kandapola on a grand scale. The event organised by Tea Factory Hotel was conducted by Mountain Biking Association successfully was co-sponsored by Associated Newspapers, Sri Lanka Rupavahini and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

The day's events commenced with the Boys and Girls event for under-10 years. This event was won by Asitha Jayasinghe of Our Lady of Victories School, Nuwara-Eliya pushing aside Chamod Wickramasinghe and Jagdesh Ratwatte to second and third positions. Meanwhile the girls event was won by Sashmi Wieprecht, of Ladies College, Colombo.

The under-13 events for Boys and Girls too were interesting to watch with around 30 participants battling for supremacy. Suraj Sumedha Croos and Nigel Ratwatte were seen using all their energy to overcome the gruelling track. It Sumedha who crossed the finishing line first.

Kamal Kithsiri from Katugastota was the winner in the under-16 event for Boys. The Girls event for the same age group three competitors faced the starters orders. But only one competitor managed to clear the course of 3.1 kilometres. Ayesha Sumanaweera being the winner here. This lass is the first on this day to bring glory for the cycling family of Sumanaweeras from Ratnapura.

The Boys under-19 race saw the highest number of participants. It was a thrilling affair with many riders falling at the very first bend in a bunch. But the riders were never in trouble and managed to continue again. Pradeep Nishantha who avoided the fall at the commencement of the race kept cool and extended his lead until the end to grab the race in style. He was later followed by Upul Kumara and Krishantha Kasun Madugayan.

Nuwara Eliya's S. Selvakumar pushed aside M. M. Ramzan to second slot in the Fun Riders event. This race too had a large number of holiday makers competing here.

The biggest event for Ladies was the open event. Here the main attraction was the English woman rider Tracey Firth. The race was won by the elder sister of Ayesha Sumanaweera - Dilruskhi. Dilruskhi crossed finish line with a clear lead of around 20 metre. Tracy Firth was seen closing upto the finish line, but a sudden burst from Ayesha Sumanaweera pushed the English woman to third slot.

The next event brought further success to the Sumanaweera family when the experienced rider A. M. Sumanaweera representing Petroleum Corporation won the Veterans event for over 50. The 52 year old veteran rode the distance as a youngster showing his skills to the maximum. The second and third placed riders T. N. Mohamed and R. Dhanapala too proved that they are prepared to take any kind of challenge on two wheelers.

Kingsley Rupesinghe was the winner in the veterans over 40 years which race was run concurrently with the other veterans race Kingsley an employee of media sponsor for the day's event Associated Newspapers of Ceylon too is an experienced rider who has taken part in many leading cycle races.

This event was followed by the most gruelling and interesting race of the day, the open sports challenge event, a four lap race. Over thirty competitors were seen face the starter's orders. Peter Bluck the main man behind the track formation and another school teacher working in Colombo Garreth Olcott were participants in this race.

D. M. S. Dissanayake who forged ahead at the start maintained his position until the end of the final lap, while others had to undergo lot difficulties on the trade. Nissanka Weerasinghe was second rider to finish the course second while Manoj Sumanaweera who placed behind him.

The only consolation came for foreigners when Peter Bluck who declared the winner in the final event. 'The Down Hill' He clocked a time of 2 mts. 11.84 secs for the event. Janak Sumanaweera 2:27.20 seconds was placed second and M. Sharmilan with a time of 2:28.26 was slotted into the third spot.

Tracey Firth the English woman speaking to the 'Daily News' said it was interesting to participate in events of this nature. The school teacher from Overseas School, Colombo added that this is the first occasion that she participated. It was really tough, but interesting. I hope to continue riding, she said. She also paid a glowing tribute to organisers - Tea Factory Hotel - for conducting a fine day's events.

Gareth Olcott also a Britisher teaching at Colombo International School was also of the same view as his colleague Tracey. He said it is the best circuit that I rode, and it is also the toughest I have come across full credit to Peter Bluck for finding a track of this nature.

The Sumanaweera family with father and four children participating as team had a field day with three victories and three placings. Ayesha Sumanaweera who has won on three other occasions said it was pleasant to cross the line first. This was the hardest circuit I have ridden, she said.

The organising committee led by General Manager Tea Factory Hotel Roshan Fernando and its colleagues and the Mountain Biking Association needs a commendation for a well conducted Cyclocross 2002 here in Kandapola. 

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