Air Force Cycle Tour 2013 from March 1 to 3

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The Km 418.6 three day Air Force Cycle Tour 2013 will be held for the 14th consecutive year from March 1, 2 and 3 starting from Colombo and moving through Dambulla, Puttalam and Chilaw back to Colombo.

This year event which coincides with the 62nd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force is organized by themselves as usual , sanctioned by the interim committee of the Cycle Federation of Sri Lanka and sponsored by Abans for the 8th year.

The men's race will start in Colombo on March 1 at 8.30am will proceed to Dambulla via Ambepussa and Kurunegala covering Km 147.1.On the second day the cyclists will ride to Puttalam via Kurunegala and the distance is Km 142.9. On the third and final day they will start from Puttlam and ride through Chilaw to Colombo to finish the race opposite the Air Force Headquarters.

Attractive cash prizes are on offer for the winner including Rs 300000, Rs 150000 and Rs 75000 for the men's first three places. Apart from that every male participant will receive an allowance of Rs 2000 per day while it will be Rs 1500 for a female competitor. A team manager will also receive a day allowance of Rs 1500.

The organizers expect more than 150 male cyclists including national level cyclists and 50 female cyclists. Awards and trophies will be awarded to the overall champion, stage winner and sprint winners and also team championships. The motivate the youth cyclists the award for the under 23 best rider will also be awarded.

The women's race continue for the second year will start from Katukurunda and ends in Colombo covering Km 51.1 on March 2. The women's race starts at Katukurunda and go through Kalutara, Wadduwa , Panadura and Moratuwa to reach Colombo. The first five winners in the women's event will receive cash prizes ranging from Rs 50000 to 10000.

The organizers have invited Indian and Pakistan Air Forces to take part in the race as well. The managers meetings for both categories will be held on February 28 starting from 3pm at the Air Force pavilion.