National cycling squad loves Namma Bengaluru

National cycling squad loves Namma Bengaluru
By: Chetan R Date: 2010-06-11 Place: Bangalore




Team training for Commonwealth Games prefers ultra-smooth BMIC expressway over professionally built cycling velodromes in eight states across country

Are roads better than cycling tracks? Well, if it were built by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) then it indeed would be.

That's the reason some of the best cyclists of the national team, who are preparing for the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games, have decided to pedal on the expressway and not the ritzy cycling velodromes.

Sixteen cyclists (eight men and eight women) from Group A of the Indian team are acquiring intensive training on the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) stretch.


The national cycling team has been pedalling over 60 km on weekdays and 140 km on weekends between Hemmigepura and Pantharpalya for the last 40 days


These 16 super cyclists will lead the Indian squad in 12 events and will take on cyclists from over 70 countries.

The Group A of the Indian team has camped in Bangalore earlier. "They had participated in the cyclothon that was organised on the same stretch last year.

The smooth expressway has lured them here once again before the mega event," said S Prasanna Krishna, former international cyclist, who is coordinating with the Indian squad's training sessions in the city.

Krishna added that the cyclists weren't aware that it was a public road that witnessed heavy traffic often.

"It would have been quite difficult for the cyclists to practice on the stretch had Ashok Kheny, MD of NICE, not cooperated with us.

However, he was very helpful and even provided us security and a lane dedicated for cyclists to practice," said Krishna.

Speaking with MiD DAY, Kheny said, "It's a matter of pride that the national team in practicing on the road build by us.

Though it was a bit difficult, I gave them all the possible support and expect that they win a gold for the country."