Mountain Biking is riding high
View(s):Biking arguably has become the most popular recreational activity in Sri Lanka. In the recent times it has gallop from zero to one of the most engaged outdoor events where clubs, groups, families, friends flock together and use this for expeditions, adventure, sightseeing and picnicking. Numbers using bike for recreation has over taken the sport of cycling.
This is a global trend said Amal Suriyage, President of the Mountain Biking Association (MBA). He further reiterated that the MBA has to cater to the trendsetter
“Otherwise we will be condemned as an entity without a programme like the national cycling controlling body, which has no set calendar but has to wait for some well wisher to come forward with a set menu on a plate. We target the Nuwara Eliya festive season to run our next Cyclo Cross and already Singer Mega in Nuwara Eliya, where we aim to engage the holiday makers either local or tourists and this will be the culminating event fixed to the last week end of April 22. We had the pleasure of introducing Cyclo Cross to Nuwara Eliya from 2004 for seven years we continuously held this event and now wish to revive this and all kids from 13 to 19 are our main entrants to develop mountain biking as a sport,” quipped Suriyage.
The Katana Cyclo Cross was the first event in the MBA calendar and it has awaken the remote school of Pope Paul the 6th and over hundred riders vie for honours last weekend. Awakening the remote village of Halpe, enthusiastic teenage riders took the centre stage and over 25 Under-13 riders with bikes and helmets mostly borrowed assembled at the start line, hardly trained to run on a dirt off road track with full of vigour and will power they raced. Although tiny on their oversize bikes, it was battle of wits with a thrilling finish. The winner was Chanuth Chamal Perera with Shiran Madushantha and Uditha Rumesh ending up as runners-up.
Twenty two riders faced the start of the Under-16 event and it was exciting as newcomers showing maturity to overcome obstacles along the way and keep the momentum in speed and endurance final round it was Rusira Kavinda who took the honours, followed by Hirusha Jayatilleka and Sanjaya Madushan. The Under-19 event had less riders and the winner was Pasindu Madushantha, and runners-up were Charith Mihiranga and Sahan Shihara.
The final event was closely contested by all prolific riders belonging to mostly armed forces and after ten grueling rounds of stiff competition the gold was bagged by Dane Nugera rider from Sri Lanka Air Force. First runner-up was Dinesh Danushka, another Airman, while second runner-up was Sumedha Warnakulasuriya Croos of Sri Lanka Army. Awards were given away by Rev. Principal of Pope Paul the 6th MV, the Singer Promotion Manager Shantha Priya de Silva and a host of veteran riders. - SP  Â