LG Abans principal sponsor of 23rd Tour de Air Force cycle race

LG Abans General Manager Lalindra Brahmana presents the token sponsorship package to Air Marsha Sudarshana Pathirana, Cycle Union of SL Air Force Chairman Air Commodore Kithsiri Leelarathna is also present (Left) -Picture by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

By Susil Premalal

LG Abans will be the principal sponsor of the 23rd Tour de Air Force (Sri Lanka) three-day Cycle Race, organised by the Cycle Union of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

This is the 12th edition of the event which began in 2003 and apart from two years LG Abans has been the principal sponsor of the race.   

This well organised annual event occupies a special place in the cycling calendar will be held on March 4, 5 and 6.   
It will cover a distance of 419 kilometres from Colombo, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Dambulla and return to the Katunayake Air Force base. This cycle tour has been conducted by the Cycling Association of Sri Lanka.   
Apart from LG Abans, SLT - Mobitel, Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Leasing Insurance and Maliban Biscuit are also Co-sponsoring the event, Air Commodore Kithsiri Leelarathna said at a press conference held at Air Force headquarters yesterday.   

Total prize money of Rs 4.5 million has been allocated for the winners of the race, which will be conducted following strict health protocols.   

The 96km women’s race will be held concurrently with the men’s race on March 6 from Puttalam to Katunayake.   
The champion of the men’s race will be awarded Rs 300,000, runner-up Rs 200,000 and third-place winner Rs 100,000 in addition to cash awards from fourth place to the 25th place.   

The winner of the women’s event will receive Rs 100,000, runner-up Rs 50,000 and third place Rs 30,000 while cash awards will be presented from fourth to 10th places.   

The closing date of entries for the Tour de Air Force (men and women) will be March 1 (today). Nearly 200 men and 75 women riders are expected to take part in this race.