The champion of men’s race Avishka Medonza (left) receiving the Overall Champion Trophy from the Commander of Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana (center). Chairman of Sri Lanka Air Force Cycle, Group Captain Kithsiri Leelarathne (right) is also present.
Avishka Medonza of Sri Lanka Army Cycling Club emerged Overall Champion of 23rd Tour de Air Force (Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawaariya) successfully concluded on March 6, 2022 (Sunday) at 20th Mile Post, Katunayake.
The three day men’s race started with the participation of 215 cyclists from in front of Air Force Headquarters, Colombo on March 4 after the flagged off by Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa.
Avishka finished the distance of 411.4 km race by clocking 9:43.22 seconds while Sandun Kumara of Fun Bee Racing Club and Chamoda de Silva of Sri Lanka Port Authority battled with each other for second place but Sandun clinched the runner-up title just before a second over Chamoda de Silva by clocking 9:43.59 seconds.
| The Commander of Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana (center) handing over the Women’s Overall Champion Trophy to Shalika Dilhani (left). The Chairman of Sri Lanka Air Force Cycle, Group Captain Kithsiri Leelarathne is also present. |
Sandaruwan Pinto of Sri Lanka Army CC became the winner of first leg (Colombo to Puttalam) of the race while Sandun Kumara of Fun Bee RC and Ashen Tharuka of Sri Lanka Air Force CC obtained second and third positions respectively.
In the second stage (Puttalam to Dambulla) Avishka Medonza secured first place while Chamoda de Silva and Prabath Madusanka of Sri Lanka Navy clinched runner-up and third place respectively.
Chamoda de Silva and Sandun Kumara finished the final stage (Dambulla to Katunayake) as winner and runner-up respectively while Sanju Deemantha of Sri Lanka Air Force obtained the third place.
Shalika Dilhani of Army Cycling Club clinched the women’s title while Ann Shenali of Sri Lanka Navy and Madhumali Fernando of Army CC finished the race as runner-up and third position respectively. Shalika Dilhani also secured the Sprint Queen title of the race.
The cycle race was conducted as a part of the 71st Anniversary Celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force which fell on March 2 and under the supervision of Sri Lanka Cycle Federation.
The awards ceremony was held under the patronage of Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana at Eagle’s Lagoon View Hotel, Katunayake on March 6 evening.