Nishantha Perera takes second stage of SLT Speed Up Cycle Tour

Nishantha Perera of Dehiwela - Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council won the second stage of the SLT Speed Up Cycle Tour 2016 from Matara to Ratnapura with a time of 3 hours 44.39 secs yesterday.

The second stage started opposite the Matara Telecom office yesterday with 122 riders facing the starter. Only 99 riders were able to finish the race at Ratnapura. The total distance of the second stage was 150 kms.

This route took the riders through hilly terrain. The official start was at Devundara. Before that it was a cycle parade covering a distance of 5.5 kms.

The second place was taken by Chamara Sandun Kumara of the Ports Authority and the third place went to Ruwan Namaratne of the Sri Lanka Air Force. All three riders finished with identical times.

Prabash Madushanka who came Nishantha Perera - winner of the second stage second in the first stage finished in the 26th place yesterday, Thushan Rajapakse the third place finisher was 27th and the first stage winner Navin Ruchira finished in the 61st position.

Kivisuru Karunaratne of the Sri Lanka Army was chosen as the ‘The King of the Mountain’ in the second stage.

The five day tour is to cover a total distance of 780.5 kms. There are three more days and four stages left to complete the event.

Stage three will commence at 8.30 a.m. today opposite the People’s Bank, New Town, Rathnapura and would cover a distance of 127 kms culminating opposite the Kandy Devon Hotel.