WrooM 3 Peaks Climbing Championship 2016

On 24 September, on a perfect morning for cycling, Kitulgala was the starting line for the 2nd consecutive WrooM 3 Peaks Climbing Championship. The mix of renowned riders present for the event included 15 national-level men, 10 women, 6 juniors (under-19), 10 veterans (over -50) and 12 amateur riders from WrooM Cycling Club. The race proceeded through Ginigathhena, Hatton, Radella to Nuwara Eliya. Out of these areas, the Radella climb is categorised as an HC category internationally – signifying that it is the highest level of difficulty from a Tour De France categorisation.

Climbing is the key skill needed to excel in multi-day world tours such as the Tour De France where performance standards are above those of Sri Lankan riders. While Sri Lankan riders are talented and motivated, they need focused climbing training, nutritional guidance and technical assistance to succeed at an international level. The 3 Peaks Climbing Championship serves to help achieve this objective.

A new championship record 

Suranga (DMMC) set the new climbing championship record of 2 hours and 38 minutes, beating the previous record set by Buddika Warnakulasooriya (Air Force) at 2 hours and 39 minutes.

This year’s winning prizes included world class technical support for cycling in addition to the cash prize. Prizes included 3D bio-mechanical study and bike fit programs for performance improvement, SIS nutrition packs and nutrition plans with products used by the Tour de France-winning SKY team, Oakley jaw-breaker shades and race performance tires by Nizamcycles and vouchers for SCOTT cycling shoes by Open Road Equipe. 

The main sponsor of the race was Flora by Unilever, promoting a healthy lifestyle and good food ideas.  Further sponsorship was provided by Land Rover, Linea Aqua and Capital Alliance with Hemas Hospital providing medical support.

Prior to the start of the race, a BMI test was conducted by Flora for all riders and supporters to help understand their body mass index, followed by a Road Safety Project for Cycling  under the initiative ‘Blinking Bikes’ where children were made aware of road safety tips and were provided a set of lights and reflectors for their bicycles.

The race will be held again in 2017, in search of the best climbers in Sri Lanka. To connect with WrooM racing club visit https://m.facebook.com/wroom.cycling/

Winners:

Elite Men

1)  Suranga  Ranaweera (DMMC) - Two hours 38 minutes (Nuwara Eliya finish)Elite Women

1) Dinesh Dilrukshi (Sri Lanka Air Force) - Two hours and three minutes (Hatton finish)

Junior (under-19)

1) Iranga Perera (SMCG) - 38 minutes (Ginihlgathhena finish)

Veterans (over-50)

1) Terrance Kinson - 44 minutes (Ginigathhena finish)

Amatures

1) David Cook (WrooM) - four hours and 15 minutes (Nuwara Eliya finish)