Airman Jeewan wins second stage

YASARATNE GAMAGE reporting from Tissamaharama

Leading cyclist airman Jeewan Jayasinghe stormed to victory in the 130 kilometre second stage of Tour de Sri Lanka Youth 2011 in Tissamaharama yesterday.

His teammate Naveen Ruchira finished second while Hemantha Kumara of Sri Lanka Navy was placed third in a close finish to the cheers of the massive crowd gathered here.

The race started in Siyambalanduwa yesterday morning and cyclists raced through Kodayana, Moneragala, Buttala, Wellawaya in a bunch competing with each other. It was Jeewan who forged ahead close to Tanamalwila along with two others in his team.

Others steered towards the end of the race and with five kilometres to finish they joined the front riders again making it more challenging for Jeewan and Naveen who did not give up until they passed the finish line in front of Ceylinco office in Tissamaharama.

Dileepa Prabhath who won the first stage had an excellent day yesterday to be the sprint winner with 18 points and the other soldier Sameera Chaturanga is in second place with 12 points. Jeewan Jayasinghe secured 10 points to stay in third place.

Dileepa also dominates the overall performance at completion of the second stage, with a timing of 5.54:19 hours and another soldier, Sameera Chaturanga who recorded a timing of 5.54:19 is in second place while policeman Sudheera Nilanga secured the third place. His timing at the end of day two was 5.54:28 hours.

Team overall result was a repeat of the first day where Army have taken both first and second places with Air Force cyclists in pursuit at third place.

Jeewan was delighted to finish the race first despite of the setback on the first day where he finished 22nd. “ I think it was our practice and hard work that gave us victory though the route was harder than the first day,” he said.

Jeewan was enthusiastic and positive about the final day, the last stage and said “the final stage from here to Matara is through plain terrain and we, the Airmen are good at cycling on the roads of that type so, it will be another Airmen’s day.”

Today the race will start at Tissamaharama and will proceed a distance of 110 Kilometres through Hambantota, Mirijjawila, Ambalantota, Nonagama, Ranna, Tangalla, Dikwella to Matara Sanath Jayasuriya Ground where the three day cycle event finishes.

Police and Navy team managers were fined for unauthorized feeding of cyclists while cyclist Prasanna Madonza was given a strict warning for arguing with commissioners.