Rajendra Soni wins Mumbai-Pune cycle race

Little-known Rajendra Soni of Central Railway, Mumbai, shocked a strong field to win the gruelling 154-kilometres 23rd Mumbai-Pune Open cycle race on Sunday.

He breezed past the finish line, clocking four hours 36 minutes and 31.33 seconds at the busy Jangli-Maharaj road in Pune.

Soni (31), won Rs 10,000 for his efforts.

Shankar Rathod from Bagalkot claimed the 'King of the Bhor Ghat' title, clocking 23 minutes 29 seconds, which made him richer by Rs 5,551.

Speaking to newsmen after his triumph, Soni said: "I had put every ounce of my energy into the final sprint."

He made the bold bid soon after crossing the Engineering College overbridge near Sancheti Hospital and shot into a slight lead, which was negligible considering the pace and the sprint involved, but he maintained it till the finish to emerge best.

The race ended in total chaos, with even veteran time keepers losing track of the riders who finished in a bunch of four. It took them more than two hours to decide the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth placings.

To make the matters worse, there were a number of protests lodged by the riders, who alleged that some riders had cheated while climbing the ghats and did not follow the chalked out route.

The heavy vehicular traffic also added to the grievances of the participants.

Following are the results: 1. Rajendra Soni (Mumbai) (4:36:31.33 seconds); 2. Dr Michael Kenn (Mumbai) (4:41:01.23); 3. Uttam Nale (Pune) (4:41:21.31); 4. Shakar Nari (Bagalkot) (4:41:21.33); 5. Ramanna Ahteatta (Bagalkot) (4:42:16.32); 6. Pankaj Marlesha (Mumbai) (4:42:16.53).

King of the Bhor Ghat award: 1. Shankar Rathod (Bagalkot) (23 mins 29 secs); 2. Pankaj Malresha(Mumbai); 3. Uttam Nale(Pune), 4. Maruti Hadgal (Bagalkot); 5. Ram Jadhav (Sangli).

Panvel Prime Award 34 kms: 1. Ramesh Deokar (Pune) (44 mins 29.92 secs); 2. Nitin Thakkar (Mumbai); 3. Santosh Pansare (Mumbai).

Khopoli Prime Award 70 kms: 1. V S Sudhakar (Air Force) (1 hr, 42 mins, 56.69 secs); 2. Maruti Hadgal (Bagalkot); 3. P S Rao (Air Force).

Kamshet Prime Award 104 kms: 1. Uttam Nale (Pune) (2 hrs, 59 mins, 58 secs); 2. Nitin Thopte (Pune); 3. Tushar Manohar Thopte (Mumbai).