Defence Services cyclists excel at World Military Championships

The Sri Lanka Defence Service cycling team flew to Poland to participate at the World Military Road Cycling Championships held in Poland. This was on the invitation of the International Military Sports Council. The team comprised top riders of Sri Lanka, namely Chaminda Meemanage, Maddumage Kapila, Wasantha Harischandra, Tilanga Silva, Navinda Kalum, (SL Army), Sampath Krishantha (SL Navy), Sujith Silva and Anil Silva (SL Air Force).

Sri Lanka had the distinction of representing the entire Asia, as we were the only team from this part of the world riding with the likes of USA, Russia, Belgium, Ukraine, Slovenia, France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Balarus, Slovakia, Austria, Kazakhsthan, Netherlands and Italy, and was able to keep pace with them. It was a very good exposure for the Sri Lankan riders to ride along side some of the great cycling countries in the world. This race was classified as a class 1.2 UCI race.

It was encouraging to note that our Defence Service riders, they who are within the top 10 in the Sri Lanka rankings were able to keep pace in the road race which they clocked an average speed of 44.596 Kms/Ph.

The Sri Lanka team was able to ride along side champion riding teams, through in military most of them represent their respective countries. In the second race for 60 Kms, Sri Lankas' Sujih Silva (SL Air Force) and Sampath Krishantha (SL Navy) did extremely well to finish within the first 50 riders.

Another noteworthy performance was during the road race of 159.9 Kms, where our riders rode in first bunch, along side some of the champion riders of Europe for a distance of 95 Kms, before falling behind. Wasantha Harischandra (SL Army) was commended during this race by all officials and coaches of international repute for his courageous riding where he rode alone for more than one hour at a speed of 40-45 Kms per Hr, when he had a tire punch after 20 Kms.

Sri Lanka team also made the country proud by being the only country from whole of Asia to be part of this elite and prestigious military event in Europe. At the end of the day, the small made Sri Lankans made their presence felt, fighting all the way along some of the cycling against of the world.

Col. Sumith Padumadasa led the team as Chief of Mission, Wing Commander Nalin Jayetileke as Manager, Captain L.H. Sarath as Coach and Leading Seaman Tudor, accompanied the team for the race.