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Giant Starkenn Mumbai Khandala Ashok Khale Memorial Race : 1st Place

Race Report:

The Mumbai Khandala race is arranged in memory of Ashok Khale, who was multiple national medal winner and excellent climber. The race is arranged by Amataur Cyclic Association of Bombay Suburban Disctrict 
under Cycling Association of Maharashtra, with Giant Starkenn, who have undertaken the responsivity to manage the race for atleast 5 years running. In short super important and prestigious race for rider from Maharashtra.

As the race finishes with the Bhor ghat climb, I had decided to do it conservatively and don't burn my sticks before the climb. Mahesh had soft crash at start of the race itself, he had to make some effort to get back to peloton, which was on exciting begining from start.
The whole race till Bhor ghat base was to begin in the peleton and follow the attacks. There was a Prime after about 40km into the race, I did not compete for it, as I knew there are many better sprinters in the bunch. Makarand took the Sprint for the Prime.

Just before Khopoli the pace of peleton was reduced, seemingly everybody was in preperation for the last climb. Before the Bhor ghat, Makrand attacked and went ahead. As the ghat started there were attacks, and peleton was splittered. I had decided to not go too hard in any part. So, when there were attacks at the base, I did not follow. So, with just about 300m into the climb, I was in 7th position. Then, I started to ride at my own pace. Reeled in Jeehan and Makarand, and went ahead. I was in 5th position now.
I could see Dhiren and Prakash ahead, I slowing went to them, and passed them. I didn't bother to looks who was on my wheel, but I could feel that they were on my wheel for some time and then probably dropped. So, I was 3rd now. Up ahead Dilip Mane had dropped Meherzad, and he was in the lead. I caught Maherzad after the Mandir on Bhor ghat, who wasn't able to hold onto my wheel. I was 2nd now. I could see Prakash following me about 50m behind, however when I reached the section near express way exit, I could not see him in the frame. The only time I was slowed down by vehicles was in the section entering the express way. There were two motorcycle riders, taking very slow turn while block the road on the downhill section, because of which I had to brake and lost opportunity to get some speed into the climb.
Onto the expressway, in some time, the pilot riders told me that Dilip Mane had puncture. I passed him, while he was changing the wheel. I was leading now, and could see nobody behind me.
I kept the same pace, rather notched down the intensity a bit, so that if someone is able to catch me, I should be able to outsprint. I was making sure I had much left in the tank, should the need be. It was about 2km from finish and I was leading the race. The finish line was 600m after the tunnel, I was  not very sure about the finish, as I had done the Bhor ghat from expressway before. The pilots helped me with updates about how much distance is left.
After I crossed the tunnel, I could see the finish line and that nobody was behind. The last part was joy ride for me, I was savouring the moment. I had thought many times about taking this win in last week 
after winning the Cyclassic 165k which also included the Bhor ghat. I crossed the finished line in absolute delight, raising my hands.

I didn't felt totally empty after the race, which tells me that I had paced the climb well. I did ride from Race Finish to Home with backpack having my trophee and clothes, after the race. Dilip Mane finished 2nd, Sanresh took 3rd, Meherzad finished 4th, Prakash finished 5th.

The race was very well managed by the pilots. The pilots were imposing on the traffic, and made sure riders were not interfered with. In the ghat section, the pilots were even cheering and encouraging me.

Thanks to Giant Starkenn, Amataur Cyclic Association of Bombay Suburban Disctrict and Cycling Association of Maharashtra, who made this race possible.

Thanks to our team kit provider #apace for our kit #keepace.

Thanks to my team #pune #wolfpack, for the support.

By far, this is the biggest win for me in bike racing.












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Sudarshan Devardekar

Giant Starkenn Mumbai-Khandala Ashok Khale Memorial Race: Winner

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