Barinder Saluja, Chandigarh, Sept. 23 : The Hero Cycles lndia Cyctothon is all set to take off at the foothills of the Himalayas at Chandigarh this Sunday with great fanfare. Each of the
past editions of lndia Cyctothon have had over 6,000 participants across various ride categories and a similar turnout is expected in Chandigarh. The Hero Cycles lndia Cyctothon will also kickoff the Chandigarh World Tourism Week organized by the Chandigarh Administration. CITCO and Chandigarh Administration are extending their support for the conduct of the event.
Last two days for registrations. Spot registrations open at Expo-Sec 10 Leisure Valley from 10 am to 7 pm. The Expo will be held at Sec 10, Leisure Valley,
Madhya Marg between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 24th and 25th September. Each participant on registration also gets a coot t-shirt, a safety reflective jacket, a cycling helmet and a goodies bag.
The Union Territory of Chandigarh will, for the first time, witness a mass mobilization cycling event of this scale that promotes the practice of cycling. The event comprises multiple categories — the Go Air Corporate ride of 20 km, the LG Green ride of 10 km, the Amateur ride of 20 km and the Kids ride for children between the ages of 8 and 13 spanning 5 km. The event proves to be the big draw with thousands turning out to pedal on the roads to proclaim their support for greener and cleaner urban spaces. lt will have participants from all walks of life including amateur cyclists, cycling enthusiasts, working professionals, housewives and school children, thus adding colour and festivities to the whole event. The Hero Cycles lndia Cyclothon, on 26th September, will be kicked off with a 60 km National
Elite Race that will see the nation’s top cyclists competing for prize money. This race will be conducted by the organizers of Sport18 under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of lndia. The National Elite Race will begin at 5:30 a.m.
In this press meet the dignitaries present were M.P. & President, Cycling Federation of India, S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr. Pankaj Munjal, Manging Director, Hero Cycles India, Mr. Satish Menon, CEO of Sports18 Group.
“This is Hero Cycles’ first association with the property of lndia Cyclothon. Mr. Pankaj Munjal, Managing Director Hero Cycles, commented, “The Hero Cycles group is committed to the cause of cycling. Cycling is a wonderful activity for fitness and also protects our environment. The Hero Cycles lndia Cyclothon is an effort in this direction. I am sure that the Cyclothon would grow to become a movement as events of this nature are extremely relevant in today’s day and age. ”
S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said, ” This would be the third edition of lndia Cyclothon in 7 months in partnership with Sportl8. An event like lndia Cyclothon goes a long way in promoting not just the local talent in the field of competitive cycling but also encourages the youth to take up cycling as an activity and we hope we can find some exciting talent from Chandigarh.” When asked about the preparations at the Common Wealth Games, he expressed his sadness & shame that such a prestigious event is being organized in the country but some corrupt officials are in the ministry who are bringing disrepute to the nation. All These ministers & Govt servants will be placed under scanner & guilty will be punished. Though the incandescent rains have hindered the preparations of the CWG Village but we wish that the Games are conducted & completed. Corruption in the completion of Rs.10,000 crore project of CWG in which misappropriate usage of funds, tenders to known & bogus companies & other illegal activities, weather by anyone, will be placed under scanner and found guilty will be punished, but after the 14 of October, once the games are concluded. He also added that he had wrote a letter, three months back, to the Sports Minister Mr. kalmadi about the bad shape of Games Village but of no vain. Today when hardly 10 days are left and the countdown has begun, he is ashamed of the pathetic display of the arrangements. The cycles for the Indian contingent have been received today at NIS Patiala, where cyclists are practising, delayed by three months. Cyclists are hardly getting any time to practice with the new equipment, on other hand Sports Authority of India has asked the NIS Patiala to deposit the cycles with them in Delhi. This is ridiculous, if sportsman will not get adequate time to practise with the equipment, how can one expect a medal from them. As some of the countries have shown their reluctance to participate in CWG in India & have threatened to withdraw due to Unhygienic living conditions and security problems. Lastly he was sure that the games will happen and assured the public to get the guilty punished after 14th October. He also tried his skills at the Hero Cycles displayed there.