Briton Toby Read and French Fabric Linon ace Race The Pearl
UK's Pippa Langan who sent a course record
The cyclists from United Kingdom and France ride 600 kilometres
from Point Pedro to Dondra Head in 24 hours
Toby Read from the United Kingdom and Fabrice Linon from France aced the fifth edition of the 24-hour epic endurance cycling race ‘Race the Pearl’, riding 600 kilometres from Point Pedro, the northernmost point of Sri Lanka, to Dondra Head, the southernmost tip. In addition UK’s Pippa Langan clocked in at 24 hours 8 minutes, missing the Pearl Jersey by 8 minutes but she set a course record for female riders. The two winners however, proudly donned the coveted Pearl Jersey as Read cycled to the finish flag in 23 hours and 6 minutes and Linon in 23 hours and 46 minutes.
Among the Sri Lankan riders who outstood was Gopi Thuraisingam, who clocked in at 24 hours and 22 minutes. In the relays, which comprised five-member teams, Kelani Cycling clocked in at 18 hours 10 minutes, followed by Riders Hub at 19 hours and 48 minutes and Road Warriors, who finished at third place with a timing of 21 hours and 23 minutes. The most notable performance came from 61-year-old Thiripathi Ananda, who received a special award for his tenacity, finishing with a timing of 29 hours and 6 minutes.
‘Race The Pearl’ is a qualifier for the upcoming RAAM (Race Across America), a globally renowned ultra-distance road cycling race that covers over 4,800 kilometres of the USA from west coach to east coast. Read and Fabrice now qualify for RAAM.
The ‘Race The Pearl’ is an initiative supporting the #VisitSriLanka campaign, which aims to promote cycling tourism and race vacations in the island. The course lends itself to ultra-endurance cycling given the headwinds, elevations, diverse weather patterns and elephant corridors which dot the course, living up to its promise of being the most epic, exotic and exhilarating cycle race in the region.
Organised by Spinner Cycling, the organising and mechanical partner of Ironman 70.3 Colombo and Around The Pearl, Race The Pearl is endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, strengthened by hospitality partner Antiquity and collaborates with MAS Kreeda, Samahan Swastha Amurthaya, Sidddalepa, Is there a lion in you?, Genie, DIMO, Pulse and Yes FM.
A jubilant Toby Read from the UK on winning Race The Pearl