By SUNIL Sonkar

New Delhi, August 30 — Cyclist event touted in the capital on a trial run for the Commonwealth Games Sunday. The cyclists talks about poor track quality and rubble were lying in and around the track in Connaught Place. Thick dust also affected the visibility. The worse condition does not ends here. Two cyclists also suffered minor injuries.

Sources said, “One cyclist fell down near LIC Bhawan in Connaught Place. His cycle hit the pavement while he was practising. The impact was such that the rim of the front wheel got distorted. The other cyclist got injured as he fell down while trying to overtake another participant. His cycle skidded due to the rubble.”

Managing director of ID sports of the organizing body Akil Khan had confimed the injuries. He said, “One of them was treated in the tent itself and the other one, who is a professional, had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.”

Ten countries participated in the trial event including Sri Lanka, Philippines, South Africa, Malaysia, Holland, Singapore and Belgium. It was flagged off by CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

About the tracks, Winner of the international-elite from South Africa, Arran Brown said, “The bollards (barriers) put in the middle of the road kept falling. Due to this, it became very tough for us to maintain high speed. Also, there was rubble lying on the road at places.”

Philippines cyclist Sherin had quit the race due to flat tire. He said, “I was leading the race in the first lap, but my tyre burst. It hit a small sharp rock on the track. The organizers should keep such things in mind. No one provided me with a spare tyre, although they were carrying spare tyres.”

Large-scale renovation work is going on in Connaught Place area. Due to this the permission was held back for long for this event. At the last moment it was decided to make a track here and the road was pitched hurridly within 24 hours before the event.