Is the largest event of its kind in the country; to be held on August 29

After Bengaluru and Mumbai, it's Delhi's turn to pedal on as India's largest cycling marathon event is coming to the national capital on August 29.u00a0

The Tour de Delhi cyclethon would be the first official cycling test event for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Starting at Vijay Chowk, the 13.7 km race will go through Deen Dayal Upadhayay Marg and will conclude at Vijay Chowk. Around 100 international athletes and 22 state teams will participate in the event.

Organised by ID Sports and Sports 18, it will be the third of its kind cycling event in India. The first two were held in Bengaluru (2009) and Mumbai earlier this year. The event intends to promote cycling and it's various benefits. The money collected will be donated to charity.

While international athletes will participate in the international event, there will be a "Tour de Delhi" for the masses.

"Cycling is very popular in European countries. They have proper cycling lanes on their roads and a cycling culture. We are trying to promote cycling in India for its health and environment benefits. We are achieving success, slowly but steadily. The first event in Bengaluru saw participation of 6,000 people, which rose to 7,000 in Mumbai with Bollywood star Salman Khan joining us," said Dr Akil Khan, Chairman and Managing Director ID Sports.

The event may not have big international stars, as the dates are clashing with with Tour de Spain - one of the biggest cycling events in the world. But there will be more than 100 participants from15 nations cycling 9 loops of a 13.7 km stretch.

Organisers are expecting 7,000 cyclists for Tour de Delhi, which is also expected to check the preparedness for the Commonwealth Games. "This may turn out to be a dress rehearsal for the games.u00a0 We have joy rides for the common people before the international cyclists take on the roads. There are four categories - Kid ride, Green rideu00a0- for those above 14 years. It will be done on a 12 km-long track. Then thers's Amateur ride (25 km) and corporate ride (25 Km)," said Vijay Bharadwaj of Sports 18.

The participation fee is fixed at Rs 350 and all the participants will be given safety gears and will be fully insured.

These events have already started creating waves as the number of cyclists has gone up in recent years. "We have witnessed a huge increase in sale of cycles after the cycle marathons in Bengaluru and Mumbai. We are also planning to increase the stretch of the marathon in the coming years and there will be many more events to promote cycling," said Vijay.