Giant Starkenn to organize the 13th annual Giant Starkenn MTB National Championship 2016

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Giant Starkenn is hosting the MTB National Championship in Pune for the 3rd time in a row

Pune, 30th September, 2016: Giant Starkenn Sports Pvt. Ltd. is organizing the 13th annual Giant Starkenn MTB National Championship 2016, for third year in a row in Pune. The 3 daylong event for cycling enthusiasts has been organized from 4rd October to 6th October, 2016 at Pune’s coveted Oxford Golf Resort. Participants can register under three categories like juniors (under 18 years), senior (19 – 39 years) and masters (above 40 years) at Oxford Golf Resort and this year Giant Starkenn has confirmed participation from 400 elite riders and the number is expected to grow to 500. Elite riders from 20 Indian teams including team of Indian Army and some international riders are participating in the championship.

 

For the first time in India, Giant Starkenn MTB National Championship 2016, Pune, will have a Downhill Exhibition Race accredited by Cycling Federation of India (CFI). This edition of the MTB Championship is going to be more challenging for the riders in terms of terrain and competition. India’s best riders and 2015’s defending champions Sandesh Upaar, Lidiyamol M Sunny and Yashodhara Sherkar will be competing this year too.

 

Starkenn Sports Pvt. Ltd & Cycling federation of India (CFI) have built a natural 5 kms looped cycling track for this championship and it has been certified by the Union Cyclists Internationale (UCI) as the only cycling track in India which is at par with international standards. The cyclists are expected to cover 300 kms over the mountainous terrain during the race. Additionally, Giant Starkenn will be offering amateur cycling enthusiasts a chance to race on the same track on 2nd October and stand a chance to win certificates and medals certified by the CFI and T-Shirts.

 

Speaking on the occasion, an enthusiastic Mr. Pravin V Patil, Managing Director and CEO, Starkenn Sports Pvt Ltd said, “We are proud to be associated with the MTB National Championship and are hoping for it to be a grand scale event like it has been each year. This year we have added some obstacles to the track to increase the difficulty level thus making the race more exciting for riders as well as onlookers. Cycling Federation of India (CFI) is in the process of recommending this Oxford Golf Course track to UCI for the C3 certification, post which we will be able to host Asian level MTB cycling tournaments in 2018. I would like to thank Oxford Golf Resort for providing us such a world class venue in India and giving Starkenn a free hand in the designing and construction of the track.  We aim to continue our association with MTB National Championship to create a cycling destination which can attract talent from across the globe.” 

 

Mr. Subhash Powale Asst. Commissure, Union Cyclists Internationale (UCI) said, “I am very happy to be present today for the inaugural press conference of Giant Starkenn MTB National Championship 2016, Pune. Events of this grandeur will help to promote mountain biking in India. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Starkenn Sports, Oxford Golf Resort and Cycling federation of India (CFI) for making this track at par with the international standards.  In near future I would like to see many more national and international level cycling tournaments coming up in Pune.”

 

Mrs. Jasmine Arethna from The Oxford Gold Resort, Pune, said, “We have always believed in providing the best facilities at Oxford Golf Resort and our 5km looped cycling track is one among those. It is great to be associated with Giant Starkenn’s MTB National Championships as it is a huge platform to showcase great cycling talents and will also encourage young cyclists to participate in a sport which is still emerging in India. We look forward to hosting many more championships and tournaments at our resort.”