Toby Read from the United Kingdom and Fabrice Linon from France won the 24-hour fifth edition of the epic endurance cycling race called Race the Pearl, riding 600 kilometers from Point Pedro the northernmost point of Sri Lanka to Dondra Head, the southernmost tip.
Pippa Langan also from the United Kingdom clocked in at 24 hours, eight minutes, missing the Pearl Jersey by eight minutes but setting a course record for female riders. The two winners however, proudly donned the coveted Pearl Jersey as Read cycled to the finish flag in 23 hours and six minutes and Linon in 23 hours and 46 minutes
Among the Sri Lankan riders was Gopi Thuraisingam who clocked in at 24 hours and 22 minutes. In the relays which comprised five member teams, Kelani Cycling clocked in at 18 hours 10 minutes, Riders Hub at 19 hours and 48 minutes and Road Warriors in third place with 21 hours and 23 minutes.
Well worthy of mention was 61 year old Thiripathi Ananda who received a special award for his tenacity, finishing with a timing of 29 hours and six minutes.
Race The Pearl is a qualifier for the upcoming RAAM (Race Across America), a globally renowned ultra-distance road cycling race that covers over 4,800 kilometers of the USA from west coach to east coast. Read and Fabrice now qualify for the RAAM.
The Race The Pearl is an initiative supporting the #VisitSriLanka campaign which aims to promote cycling tourism and race vacations in the island.