MANANTHAVADY (WAYANAD)
Ananya Kadidal of Karnataka and Kerala’s Jinimol Joseph won the amateur races in the men’s and women’s categories respectively at the 6th edition of MTB (Mountain Bike) Kerala today.
Ananya, who is a farmer from the heavy-rain Shimoga district of Malnad region, clocked 35:21.611 minutes to cover two rounds of the 4.8-km track of the MTB organised by Kerala Tourism under the aegis of Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, District Tourism Promotion Council-Wayanad and the Cycling Federation of India.
Ginimol, who lives in Venmony of hilly Idukki district, finished the stipulated one round of the same rugged track around Priyadarshini Tea Environs near here in 23:08.649 minutes. The races under the amateur segment, called ‘Fun and Thrill’, had its trial run held yesterday along a 20-km stretch 3,000 feet above the sea level.
Ananya has been in taking part in professional cycling events for nine years, while Jinimol developed a passion for the sport since 2018 amid her studies as an under-graduate. Behind Ananya came Yadhun Madanan from suburban Vytila of Ernakulam district, while Mazood M was the second runner-up.
In the women’s segment, Maharashtra’s Shubhangi Sarvade (Pune), a post-graduate student in computer science, came second. The ‘Fun and Thrill’ medal winners get cash prizes and a certificate.
The winners of both categories of this event qualify for the MTB national category races on Sunday after Kerala Minister Ramachandran Kadannppally formally inaugurates MTB 2019. The event also features an international segment.
