Over 3 million prize money for Tour De Air Force Cycle Race winners
The Cycling Union of Sri Lanka Air Force has scheduled the 21st Tour De Air Force three-day Cycle Race to take place from March 5 to 7 from Colombo to Anuradhapura. The event is being held to mark the 69th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The total distance of the race is 444.62 km and the winners will receive over Rs. 3 Million prize money.
The principal sponsor is Softlogic. This is the main event of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka calendar.
The race commenced in 1999 and has been conducted every year except in 2008.
Air Force teams of South Asian countries have been invited to participate though so far no country has confirmed its participation, the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshall Sumangala Dias said yesterday addressing a media conference held at the Air Force Headquarters.
They are hoping that over 150 leading riders will take part. Entries close on March 2.
The Tour De Air Force will take place on March 5 from the Air Force Headquarters and will head to Kandy, a distance of 109.53 km (Freedom area 15 km). On March 6, riders will cycle from Kandy to Trincomalee, a distance 199.05 km (Freedom area 16 km) before cycling from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura Distance, a distance of 136.04 km (Freedom area 20 km).
The women’s race will be held parallel to the men’s race which will commence from Puttalam to Anuradhapura on March 7, a distance of 110 km.
The men’s race overall winner will receive Rs. 300,000, the runners-up will receive Rs.200,000 and third place will receive Rs.100,000.
Prizes will be given up to 25th place in the men’s race. The women’s race winner will receive Rs. 100,000, the runner-up will receive Rs. 50,000 and third place will get Rs. 30,000. The fourth to 10th place winners will receive prize monies.
The Overall Sprint Champion, Day Sprint Champion, Leg Winners, Overall Mountain Champion, Overall Young Champion Team Champion will receive prize monies.