About 180 cyclists for Air Force Cycle Race

The Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana (center) receiving the sponsorship cheque from General Manager of Abans Group of Companies Leelendra Brahmanage (right). Chairman of Sri Lanka Air Force Cycle L.M.S.K. Leelaratne is also present (left). Picture by Ranjith Asanka

The 23rd Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya 2022 (Air Force Cycle Race) is all set for begin on March 4 in front of the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, Colombo. The race will be conducted in collaboration with the 71st Anniversary Celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force which falls on March 2 and under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cycle Federation.

The Men’s Race will be the flagship event of the tour and it will be conducted as a three-day event. The race will start at 8.30 am from Colombo and it will proceed to Puttalam with a distance of 123.8 km via Peliyagoda, Negombo and Chilaw while Katunayake and Bangadeniya marked as sprint speed points. The second leg of the race will go through Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura, Kekirawa and will end at Dambulla. It will cover 142 km distance and the sprint speed points are Nochchiyagama and Galkulama. On the final day (March 6) the race will proceed to Katunayake via Kurunegala, Narammala, Kuliyapitiya, Pannala and Negombo. The distance of third leg is 145.2 km while Omaragolla and Bowaththa are marked as sprint speed points. The race will finish at Katunayake with a total distance of 411.2 km. The organizers are expected around one hundred and eighty (180) male riders from recognized cycling clubs in Sri Lanka.

The women’s race will be conducted as a single-day event with a total distance 99.6 km from Puttalam to Katunayake via Chilaw, Negombo. The race will be flagged off on March 6 at 7.30 am while Udappuwa and Madampe marked as sprint speed points. Around 50 female cyclists are expected to take part in the race.

The champion of men’s race will receive Rs. 300000 while runner-up and third place will obtain Rs. 200000 and Rs. 100000 respectively. From fourth to eight positions will be awarded Rs. 60000, Rs. 40000, Rs. 30000, Rs. 20000 and Rs. 15000 respectively while Rs 10000 will be offered for ninth and 10th positions each.

The overall Sprint Champion and the Youth Champion (under 23 age) of men's race will obtain Rs. 40000 cash prize each.

The winner of women’s race will be offered Rs.100000 while second and third places will receive Rs. 50000 and Rs. 30000 respectively. The fourth and fifth place will obtain Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15000 respectively while six to 10th positions will be awarded Rs. 5000 each. An overall Sprint Queen will carry away Rs.15,000 cash prize while overall Team Champions and runners-up will receive Rs. 50000 and Rs. 30000 respectively.

The award ceremony of cycle races will be held at Eagle’s Lagoon View Hotel, Katunayake at 5.00 pm on March 6 with the presence of Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

Abans Group of Companies joins hands with the Sri Lanka Air Force as the Principal Sponsor while SLT-Mobitel giving their support as Telecommunication partner in this prestigious event.