Army Cyclist Sandaruwan Pinthu Wins Opening Stage of Lanka Ride 2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s premier long-distance cycling challenge, the Lanka Ride 2026, roared back to life today with its first stage ending in a stunning victory for Sri Lanka Army cyclist Sadaruwan Pinthu.

The event is being held for the first time in 21 years, marking a major comeback in the country’s competitive cycling calendar.

The opening ceremony of Lanka Ride 2026 took place in Colombo this morning ahead of the start of Stage One, which unfolded as a grueling mountain-climb leg stretching from Colombo to Gannoruwa in Kandy. 

The flag-off took place in the presence of Ministers Sunil Kumara Gamage, Bimal Ratnayake and Deputy Minister Sugath Tillakaratne.

Cyclists were required to cover 106 kilometres, tackling the demanding ascents of Nelumdheniya, Uthuwankanda, and Kadugannawa — some of the steepest and most technical uphill sections in Sri Lanka’s central highlands.

Sadaruwan Pinthu of the Sri Lanka Army dominated the climbs and crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 41 seconds, securing the first-place win.

Close behind him was fellow Army cyclist Saranga Perera.

Third place was claimed by Jeshan Kavinda of the Ja-Ela Flash Wheel Sports Club, completing a fiercely competitive opening stage.

The excitement continues tomorrow with Stage Two, a 135.5-kilometre ride from Kandy to Anuradhapura, testing riders with long stretches of high-speed racing and endurance.

The final showdown of the tournament, Stage Three, will take place on Sunday, covering a massive 208-kilometre route from Anuradhapura to Colombo, finishing at the iconic Independence Square.