Costly ride along the velodrome

Guwahati, Feb 12 (UNI) Guess the price of those sleek looking cycles that are hitting the brand new turf at the picturesque Rupnath Brahma Velodrome at Tepesia? Hold your breath as the cheapest of those is costlier than any of the small-size family car out on the road in the country! The sports cycles that is being used by athletes from different state in the 33rd National Games cost in the range of whopping Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh apiece. The Punjab team, which is the front-runner in the competition, is the proud owner of the costliest piece in the Games.

Hosts Asom, who have so far won three Bronze medals in cycling events, ride cycles with price tag in the range of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 2.75 lakh. The state has 26 such cycles procured in the run up to the National Games.

All the swanky cycles are assembled either within the country or the renowned international hub at Singapore with parts procured from countries like Italy, Japan, France etc.

The rear wheel (the disc) and bearings are the costliest parts of such a cycle that can attain speed of 120 kilometre per hour.

Most of the Indian states including Asom prefer to assemble these cycles within the country as it becomes a costly affair to shop for those in Singapore.

One of the state's sports administrator, J Borchetiya informed that all the cycles for the state were assembled within the country with parts imported from different countries.

UNI