Sept. 30: The cycling event of the Commonwealth Games is only four days away and yet the Indian riders are unaware in which category they will compete. The cyclists said they are practising for more than one event since the coaching staff have not informed them about the event in which they will compete in the Oct 3-14 Games.
Sandeep Kumar said he has been training for two events — 40 km time trial and mass start — and it is difficult to focus on the two simultaneously. “The cycles are different for the two events and you are training on one cycle in the morning and on the other in the evening. The adjustment is not easy. But I am hopeful of a good showing in the Games,” Kumar said.
Another cyclist Bikram Singh said he knows the event in which he will compete, though he has no official intimation. “I am taking part in the one km time trial race. I have trained hard for the event. I know about my event but others don’t. They said they will let us know in a day or two,” said Singh, a bronze medallist at the 2010 Asian Cup in Japan.
Head coach Chayan Chowdhury, however, said the riders have been training hard for the mega event and they are aware in which event they will be racing. “The riders know about their categories. It will be made official in a day or two,” Chowdhury said. The trimmed 24-member cycling squad arrived in the Games Village on Tuesday only a couple of weeks after getting their hands on imported bikes that came after a year’s wait.