Tour de Lanka offers Rs. 50 million in prize money

By Susil Premalal

In what promises to be one of the grandest cycling events in Sri Lankan sporting history, the Tour de Lanka Ride 2025, organized by the Ministry of Sports, is set to offer nearly Rs. 50 million in total prize money to its winners, according to the event organisers and sponsors. The prestigious cycling tour will take place from December 18 to 20, covering a total distance of 450 kilometres across three stages. Cyclists will start from Colombo, proceed to Kandy and Anuradhapura, before returning Colombo via Puttalam where the race will conclude at the Independence Square. The Tour de Lanka Ride 2025 is being jointly organized by the Department of Sports Development and the Cycling Referee Association of Sri Lanka, marking the first-ever event of this scale to be managed directly by the Ministry of Sports. The first official stage will begin from Peliyagoda Police Station, continuing 106 kms to Gannoruwa. On December 19, competitors will cycle 136 kms from Kandy to Anuradhapura via Dambulla, followed by the final 208 kms stage on December 20 from Anuradhapura through Puttalam culminating in Colombo. The winner of the event will receive Rs. 600,000 with Rs. 500,000 awarded to the second place and Rs. 400,000 to the third. Cash prizes will also be given to competitors finishing up to the 25th position. Additional prizes include Rs. 200,000 for the Best Youth Cyclist (Under 23), Rs. 100,000 each for the King of the Mountain and Intermediate Sprint winners (based on points), Rs. 200,000 for the Best Team and Rs. 100,000 for the Runner-up Team.

Cyclists may register individually or as teams, with each team comprising a minimum of four and a maximum of six members. Applications will be accepted until December 12.