ThiruUdhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu graced the event asChief guest.
Chennai, October 15, 2023: HCL,a globally renowned conglomerate,concluded HCL Cyclothon today with over 1100 cycling (956 men and 169 women) enthusiasts taking to the city’s roads. Held in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and the Government of Tamil Nadu, and under the patronage of the Cycling Federation of India, the event drew participants in both the Professional and Amateurcategories, making it a resounding success.The winners were felicitated by ThiruUdhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu. Also, present at the occasion were Mr. Sundar Mahalingam, President, Strategy at HCL Corporation and Mr. Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General at Cycle Federation of India.HCL Cyclothon featuredan exciting prize purse of INR30 Lakhs which was awarded to the top finishers.
Mr. Sundar Mahalingam, President – Strategy, HCL Corporation, said “At HCL, we believe in multiplying the potential of individuals by fostering collaboration and a shared purpose. The overwhelming response to the Chennai edition of HCL Cyclothon fills us with enthusiasm and gratitude. We look forward to organising more cycling initiatives in the future.”
ThiruUdhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Tamil Nadu expressed his appreciation, saying, “I wholeheartedly welcome HCL’s role in expanding the horizons of sports in Tamil Nadu. It’s truly inspiring to witness a substantial gathering of cycling enthusiasts championing fitness and fostering a sporting culture in our state. This also underscores the unwavering dedication of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and the Government of Tamil Nadu to create an environment conducive to sporting excellence. By encouraging cycling, we are not only nurturing the growth of a sport but also fostering a sustainable and green future for Tamil Nadu.”
Mr.Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General at theCycle Federation of Indiaalso shared his thoughts, saying, “We received an overwhelming response in the first edition, and this time too we saw greater participation and enthusiasm from cyclists of all levels. We believe that this momentum will continue in the coming years and people will keep adopting cycling as their way of living. The federation has an optimistic outlook for the future, anticipating even more significant participation and enthusiasm in the coming years.”
The cyclists began peddling from Mayajaal Multiplex on ECR Road at the break of dawn and took several loops of the route as per their respective categories.The Chennai edition featured a prize purse of total Rs 30 lakhs which comprises Rs. 15 lakhs for professionals and Rs. 15 lakhs for amateurs.
| Category | Professional | Amateur | ||
| Individuals | Team | Road Race | MTB Road Race | |
| Description | Only CFI licensed cyclists can participate in this category | This category is open for road race | This category is open for MTB (Mountain Bike) | |
| Prize | Rs. 15 Lakhs | Rs. 7.5 LakhsRs. 7.5 Lakhs | ||
| Age group | 19 to 35 years | Elite: 18-35 years Masters: 35+ years | ||
| Distance | 55 KM | 55 KM | 24 KM | |
| Awards | Winners will be awarded to the top 10 males and females | Top five / three teams of cyclists will be awarded | Top 3 men and women cyclists in the overall category and within the age group from 18 to 30, 30 + to 45, and 45 + will be awarded. | |
Earlier this year, thefirst edition HCL Cyclothon in Noida, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a participation of over 1000 cyclists. The event awarded prize money to the top 70 participants in theprofessionals and amateur categories.
About HCL
Founded in 1976 as one of India’s original IT garage start-ups, HCL is a pioneer of modern computing with many firsts to its credit, including the introduction of the 8-bit microprocessor-based computer in 1978 well before its global peers. Today, the HCL enterprise has a presence across varied sectors that include technology, healthcare and talent management solutions and comprises three companies – HCL Infosystems, HCL Technologies, and HCL Healthcare. The enterprise generates annual revenues of over US$12.8 billion with over 223,438 employees operating across 60 countries. For further information, visit www.hcl.com