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Journalism of Courage
PUNE, Sept 3: Sangli’s Sarfaraz Baig won the Pune Festival cycle race organised by the Sports and Youth Development Federation (SYF) which was held on Thursday.
The race saw a mammoth participation of 149 cyclists taking part in the 15 kilometre race which was flagged off near the Khadki railway station on Aundh road.
Soon after the flag-off the entire bunch of cyclists pedalled furiously to gain an early lead. Nearing Spicer College, a group of 20 cyclists broke away the pack which included Sarfaraz, Sajjed Baig, Datta Raut, Sanjay Gangurde, Sanjay Kamble and Akshay Khole.
Thereon the race turned out to be six-man fare and the lead changed handsas they raced on. The last kilometre had excitment galore as the duo (Sarfraz, Sajjed) from R.H Jagdale School, surged ahead of the group to finish in style,making it a one-two at the finish inthe same sequence.
Sarfaraz clocked 16 minutes 50 seconds and was followed Sajjed who finished fifteen seconds later.
Earlier the race was flagged off by corporator Manoj Bhore. Apart from Pune cyclists from Sangli, Nashik, Satara and Bhor took part in the meet.
The first six winners were awarded cash prizes, mementos and certificates by Manoj Vajpayee, a well known actor.
The Pune city Traffic Branch and Khadki police station personnel did a commendable job to organise the race smoothly.
