Cycling champ wants training in velodromes

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Serving tea and bajjis at his father’s tea stall every afternoon may be his routine today, but his aspirations are sky high.

The 24-year-old national cyclist, V. Murugan, wants to traverse the hills as part of the ultimate cycling race in the world – the Tour de France.However, the four-time state champion gets scared whenever he competes in a national meet.

“I am not afraid of the speed or the competition. It is the lack of practice at the velodrome that makes me nervous before every national meet” said Murugan.

To get accustomed to the velodrome which features oval tracks with 180-degree circular bends, cyclists from Tamil Nadu reach the national venue a couple of days earlier.

“So our medals are mostly won only in the road race category. Only those who have the means to train at velodromes achieve success in time trial events,” Murugan stated.

If the Olympic record for the one km time trial is one minute, Murugan is doing the same distance at 1.10 minute.

“If I get to train in a velodrome with latest equipment, then I can surely reach international level,” said the TN star, whose immediate aim is to get into the national camp.

Since the state doesn’t have a velodrome, cyclists are left practising on busy roads with flat surface. “Due to traffic, I train on Maduravoyal bypass near Tambaram in the morning. Before important meets, I go and practice on Jolarpet-Vellore road,” added Murugan.

The third son of a boxer father is however lucky to have an understanding family, who go all their way out to help him get some modern equipment, if not the latest.

The cyclist himself earns a little money by taking part in road races conducted in his locality and during temple functions.

“Recently, I bought a Rs 1 lakh worth cycle with the cash awards that I won in road races,” said Murugan, adding that he along with his brother cycled all the way from Kanyakumari to Chennai within 24 hours.

“We expected some sponsorship or cash award for our achievement, but we don’t get anything,” he noted.

With eyes set on reaching the Indian camp and to represent the country at international meets, Murugan is now waiting for the appointment order from the postal department.

“If I get a job, then it would help me train better,” said the cycling champion, who is gearing up for the open selections this September. To support and encourage the cyclist, call 97100-18544.

sujatha.s@deccanmail.com [2]