TI Cycles announces 46th Mumbai-Pune cycle race 2007
Toughest challenge on the cycling circuit in India attracts best cyclists from across country

Mumbai, 13 March, 2007: TI Cycles of India, one of India's largest bicycle manufacturers and a part of the Rs.7300 plus crore conglomerate Murugappa Group, today announced the launch of 46th Mumbai - Pune Cycle Race 2007. The race, a gruelling test of endurance and skill, would be flagged off at 7:00 AM on 18th March 2007 from the Mayor's Bungalow in Mumbai. The total prize money is Rs.1,25,000/- and is the highest in the history of the race. The race will feature 165 of the best cyclists from across the country.

Covering 154 kms, the race trail would be Chunabhatti > Vashi > Panvel > Khopoli > Bor Ghats > Khandala > Lonavala > Kamshet > Vadgaon > Dehu Road > Nigdi > Chinchwad > Pimpri > Khadki before finishing at Wakdewadi in Pune. The zone from Dadar to Chunabhatti is neutral and the timing for the same would be excluded from the overall time.

Twenty two (22) different awards would be up for grabs including King of Ghats, Most Promising Talent and prizes for the three Primes. The champion of the cycle race would get an additional amount of Rs.25,000/- apart from the first prize amount of Rs.17,000/- if he betters the race record of 4 hours 13 minutes and 14 seconds.

"We are committed to promote cycling as a sport and a recreational activity on a large scale. TI Cycles is honoured to be associated with India's oldest and toughest cycle race," said Mr. G.Ramprasad, President, TI Cycles of India. "As a part of our three-year tie-up with Cycling Federation of India, we will be sponsoring national cycling events each year. Our effort is to promote cycling not only amongst sportsmen but also amongst the general public," he added.

Mr. Pratap Jadhav, Secretary Maharashtra Cycling Association said, "It augurs well for the future of cycling as a sport that TI Cycles has come forward with comprehensive long-term support including increase of prize money and other incentives to attract the best talent in the country. We are happy to be associated with TI Cycles and wish the event a great success."

An exciting feature of the race is the Prime Zone. Prime zones are mini race zones in their own right, wherein the cyclists compete for prizes for the fastest sprint in the last one 1 km of the race. There are three Primes - Panvel, Khopoli and Khamshet and each has 3 winners.

About TI Cycles of India
TI Cycles of India is a part of Tube Investments of India (TII), a flagship company of the Rs.7300 plus crore conglomerate Murugappa Group. TI is the second largest manufacturer of bicycles in India, marketing top brands like Hercules and BSA. The company is a market leader in the value-added special segment, with a 50 percent market share. At present, TI has twelve BSA GO stores across India.

Certified with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001, TI Cycles is one of the most quality and customer centric organizations. TI Cycles is an exporter to many regions across the globe including Europe, South East Asia and Africa.

About the Murugappa Group
Headquartered in Chennai, the Rs.7300 plus crore Murugappa Group is India's leading business conglomerate, which fosters an environment of professionalism for its strong workforce of 28,000 employees. The group has 29 registered companies, which are market leaders in diverse areas of business viz. engineering, abrasives, finance, general insurance, sanitaryware, cycles, sugar, farm inputs, fertilizers, plantations, bio products and nutraceuticals. The Group has manufacturing units in 12 states.

The Group has forged strong joint venture alliances with leading international companies like Roca, Cargill, Cerdak, DBS Bank, Mitsui Sumitomo and Groupe Chimique Tunisien and has consolidated its status as one of the fastest growing diversified business house in India.

Contact Information

Chandrika Raman
Sr. Manager-Group Corporate Communications
Tel: 044-25306535 / 98400 71172
Email: ChandrikaR@corp.murugappa.com

Gautam Dalal
Dy. General Manager - Marketing
TI Cycles of India
Tel: 0 98408 89422

Ms. Anu Lakshman
General Manager
IPAN
Tel: 0 98410 39574