Sandesh, Seema emerge champions in cycling

MYSURU: Sandesh Uppar, a national cyclist from Vijayapura, and Seema Adagal from Bagalkot district emerged champions respectively in the men's and women's category of the Dasara state-level cycling competition on Sunday. Organised by Dasara Sports Committee, in association with the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, the men's contest witnessed a close battle between Uppar and N Lokesh, who was denied victory by a margin of two seconds.
Uppar completed the 100km race in 2h:27m:30s. Nagappa Maradi, who completed the race in 2h:27m:35s, came in third, trailing Uppar and Lokesh. The men's contest witnessed a participation of over 200 cyclists from across the state.
National cyclist Seema Adagal pipped Leena Robra of Bengaluru by two seconds to emerge victorious. Adagal completed the 55km race in 1h:45m:20s. Sameera Abrahim, also from Bengaluru, came in third, finishing the race in 1h:45m:28s. The women's event saw as many as 75 participants.
While the men had to go around the Outer Ring Road twice, it was restricted to a single round for women. The finish line at Devi Kere in Chamundi Hills meant that the cyclists were in for a 5km ascent of the hills to complete the race.
The event was inaugurated by police commissioner B Dayanada at Devegowda Cirlce on Bannur Road, while superintendent of police, Ravi Chennavar distributed the prizes to the winners.