Champions Sportive Series, a cycling championship for amateurs, will be held across eight cities in India for the first time from mid-August.
The championship is sponsored by men’s apparel brand Indian Terrain and TI Cycles of India, through its brand Montra, and organised by ChooseMyBicycle.com.
The event is split into two — competitive and non-competitive rides. While the former is a 100 km race, the latter is a 50-km ride. The top three winners in the competitive category from eight cities will get to participate in the grand finale of the accredited Champions Sportive Series that will be held in New Delhi this year.
The event will be held in Chennai, Chandigarh, Pune, Gurgaon, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Rohit Kuttappa, CEO, ChooseMyBicycle.com, said around 100-200 cyclists are estimated to participate in each city and expects the number to increase for the event next year.
Cyclists can register by paying ₹600 for 50 km ride and ₹700 for 100 km race, which is inclusive of Indian Terrain-designed sportswear.
Venky Rajagopal, CMD, Indian Terrain Fashions Ltd, which has designed the sportswear, and a cyclist himself, said though cycling has always been in the vogue, cycling as a form of fitness has taken off in the recent times. Events like these give the necessary push to bring out new talent, he added.
Kailash S, Head, Marketing, TI Cycles of India, said the company’s turnover doubled thanks to growing demand for professional cycles. “Events like these are meant to seed the thought of serious cycling among amateurs,” he added.