The city is gearing up to host the country’s first international mountain cycling competition, MTB Kerala 2012, at Kovalam. The three-day event will begin at Thenmala in Kollam district on November 2 with a marathon event and conclude at Kovalam beach with a 4-cross (4 x) event. According to officials, construction of a cycling track will begin in Kovalam within 15 days.
T P Narayanan Kutty, Director, Eco-Tourism, said that around 20 international professionals would participate in the event. “A similar event will be held in Australia as a prelude to this. Some participants from that event will also be here,” he said.
The race will be conducted in three categories - international cross country, national cross country and international four cross. The cross country events will be held on an 8-km circuit track in Thenmala and four cross will be held on an 800-metre track in Kovalam. The cycling track for the 4 cross event will be laid near the Kovalam beach.
“Only professionals can attend the competition. That is why it is not even included in the National Games. Individuals who wish to participate must submit a letter from the Cycling Federation of India,” Narayanan Kutty said.
MTB Kerala has prize money of ` 5 lakh each for international cross country and international four cross competitions while it is ` 20 lakh for national cross country competition.
Organised by Kerala Tourism, this global event aims to make Kerala a future hub of annual international mountain cycling events. On Tuesday, the department called for tender for the construction of the cycling track.
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