Karnataka’s Naveen retains individual time trial gold

Bengaluru: The country’s top rider Naveen John of Karnataka came up with a brilliant effort to retain his individual time trial gold at the 28th National Road Cycling Championships in Vijayapura, Karnataka, on Tuesday.The 37-year-old Bengaluru-based John demolished the field, finishing the 40-km race in an impressive time of 49 minutes, 51.77 seconds at an average speed of 48.13kmph.Services’ Dinesh Kumar, 14 years John’s junior, was a minute and 17 seconds behind in second place. Tamil Nadu’s Joel Santosh Sundaram, who had an unfortunate flat tyre a few minutes before the start, took the bronze, 20 seconds behind Dinesh.Barring a minor scare when a dog ran across the road midway through the race, John was hardly troubled. This was the seasoned rider’s eighth National time trial gold and fourth on the trot. He has also won three straight National Games title trial gold.“It’s a lot of relief,” John told TOI. “It feels good that the sacrifices I have made and the work that I have put in is still good enough.” Hosts Karnataka picked up two silver and bronze medals apiece on the opening day of the four-day championships.Results (Individual Time Trial): Men (40km): 1. Naveen John (Kar, 49:51.77); 2. Dinesh Kumar (SSCB, 51:08.756); 3. Joel Santosh Sundaram S (TN, 51:28.293). U-23 (40km): 1. Manav Sarda (Raj, 52:47.356); 2. Dushyant Beniwal (Chd, 53:09.840); 3. Sahil (Har, 53:59.070). U-16 (20km): 1. Shaurya Sheoran (Raj, 26:24.126); 2. Radhakishan Hudda (Raj, 26:51.184); 3. Yallesh Huded (Kar, 27:06.420).Girls: U-18 (20km): 1. Harshita Jakhar (Raj, 29:27.210); 2. Nanda Chichakhandi (Kar, 30:18.029); 3. Anupama Guled (Kar, 30:49.649).U-16 (15km): 1. Anjali Jakhar (Raj, 22:38.520); 2. Chaya Nagashetti (Kar, 23:15.023); 3. Bhumika (Har, 23:22.175).
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